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3d ago

Waymo Secures Approval to Launch Driverless Taxis in San José

The CPUC's permit amendment marks the first authorization for a commercial autonomous taxi fleet to operate across nearly all of San José.

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A person is seen working next to a Waymo car in a lot at 350 Pacific Avenue on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, in San Francisco. Waymo said Monday it received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand to the South Bay and most of San Jose.

Overview

  • The California Public Utilities Commission approved Waymo's permit amendment on May 19, 2025, allowing its driverless taxis to operate commercially in San José.
  • This is the first time a commercial autonomous vehicle fleet has been authorized to serve nearly all of San José, expanding Waymo's footprint in the Bay Area.
  • Waymo plans a cautious rollout, emphasizing collaboration with local communities, officials, and first responders to ensure safety and accessibility.
  • The CPUC approval follows a March 2025 permit from the California DMV, which imposed stringent safety and accessibility requirements for the deployment of Waymo's vehicles.
  • Waymo currently operates over 250,000 weekly rides across cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, with plans to expand methodically into San José.