Free Waymo rides in California? You can thank regulatory quirks

Robotaxi companies have These companies have flourished in California, where good weather, enthusiasm for technology and a cutting-edge workforce have helped them grow for nearly two decades. But a delayed decision from a government regulator is now slowing down the Alphabet subsidiary Waymothe US leader in driverless robotaxi service.

The holdup means Waymo is not yet allowed to expand into parts of Northern and Southern California. On the plus side for riders, Waymo still can’t charge California passengers to ride in its new car, which is… A pale blue Chinese-made car called Ojaiwhich began selecting riders last month.

If Waymo continues to operate these vehicles in its driverless delivery service, they could be free until the end of September and possibly beyond. (The company continues to charge fees for trips in Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis, which make up the majority of its fleet.)

Unlike other states that allow robotaxis to launch test operations and later public services without much, if any, oversight, California does not allow the vehicles on the roads without permission. To put their self-driving vehicles on the road, companies need approval from the state Department of Motor Vehicles. They also need permission from the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates taxi and other transportation services, to transport paying passengers.

Courtesy of Waymo

Waymo applied to the CPUC in January to expand its service area and add Ojai cars to its fleet. In Northern California, the proposed new service area would extend from Sea Ranch and Sacramento in the north, through Berkeley and Oakland, and all the way to San Jose. In Southern California, it will extend through Los Angeles to Thousand Oaks and Santa Clarita, all the way to the Tijuana border via San Diego.

But the process faced an unusual amount of controversy. In May, the agency requested more information about how to use Waymo Responds to emergency incidentsHe loves December power outage in San Francisco More than 60 Waymos were stranded in traffic. It also requested new details on how Waymo can confirm this Unaccompanied minors Do not ride in their cars, this is a violation of state law. The questions came after a labor union representing taxi drivers filed a formal complaint with the agency about Waymo transporting unaccompanied minors.

Now, the CPUC’s Division of Consumer Protection and Enforcement and Waymo have agreed to a new extension through Sept. 25, according to Terry Prosper, a spokesman for the agency. Waymo’s application “is still under review, and the items requested for approval have not been approved,” Prosper said.