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Waymo Starts Paid, Driverless Freeway Rides in SF, LA and Phoenix

Access begins with opt-in users, reflecting a phased rollout backed by expanded Bay Area coverage to San Jose plus curbside service at SJC.

Overview

  • Freeway routing will initially be offered to early-access riders and will expand gradually as performance data is collected.
  • Waymo extended its Bay Area map to San Jose and began 24/7 curbside pickups and drop-offs at Mineta San Jose International Airport.
  • The company is boosting its Bay Area fleet to more than 1,000 robotaxis to support the wider service footprint.
  • Preparation included closed-course and simulated training, dual-computer redundancies, and new protocols coordinated with the California Highway Patrol and Arizona Department of Public Safety.
  • Vehicles generally follow posted freeway speed limits and may exceed them slightly only in extraordinary safety situations, with the company emphasizing faster trips and ongoing regulatory scrutiny following prior incidents.