Waymo Expands Service Areas in San Francisco and Los Angeles
Waymo, the leading robotaxi company, is making moves to increase its presence in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The company recently announced that it is expanding its service areas in both cities in an effort to attract more customers and grow its business.
In San Francisco, Waymo is extending its service area south of the city into the San Francisco Peninsula, covering Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma. This expansion adds 10 additional square miles to the existing service area, bringing the total to 55 square miles. The company has also eliminated its waiting list in San Francisco, allowing anyone within the service area who has downloaded the Waymo One app to access their 24/7 robotaxi service.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Waymo is venturing into new neighborhoods such as Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, and Playa Vista. The company is also expanding its service area to include more of Hollywood, Chinatown, and Westwood. Despite still having a waitlist in Los Angeles, Waymo’s growth in the city demonstrates its commitment to expanding its footprint and attracting more customers.
While Waymo’s service area growth may not match that of traditional ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, the company is focused on demonstrating its ability to grow rapidly in each new city it enters. The recent $5 billion commitment from parent company Alphabet is expected to fuel Waymo’s growth in the coming years, further boosting confidence in the company’s driverless technology.
Although Waymo has yet to introduce its driverless vehicles to airports like SFO and LAX, the company is in talks to begin non-commercial mapping and driving operations at these locations. While airports present a significant revenue opportunity for robotaxi services, navigating the complex and regulated environment of airports poses unique challenges for driverless vehicles.
Overall, Waymo’s expansion in San Francisco and Los Angeles marks another step forward in the company’s mission to revolutionize transportation with its autonomous technology. As Waymo continues to grow and innovate, it is poised to play a key role in shaping the future of mobility.
