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Waymo Announces When It Will Start Charging for Rides in San Francisco

Written by Joel UmanzorPublished Aug. 16, 2023 • 7:56pm
A robotaxi speeding down a street
A Waymo car drives along a street in San Francisco on March 1. | Source: Justin Sullivan/ Getty Images

Waymo says it will start charging for trips around San Francisco starting next week, according to an email sent out Wednesday from the autonomous vehicle company.

Riders who use Waymo One can expect charges to begin on Monday. 

“We’re transparent with our pricing—you’ll always know your trip cost before you book. We base the price of your trip on the most direct route,” Waymo announced. “Even if the car re-routes, or adapts a route in an unexpected way, the cost will not change.”

READ MORE: Robotaxis: California Regulators OK 24/7 Self-Driving Car Expansion in San Francisco

The company added that during busier times of the day, the cost may be higher to account for higher demand.

For the time being, Waymo’s wheelchair-accessible vehicles will continue to operate without charge.

The announcement comes less than a week after the California Public Utilities Commission gave Waymo and rival autonomous vehicle company Cruise the green light to operate 24/7 throughout San Francisco—and to charge passengers for rides.

The timeline for when Cruise will begin charging, however, remains unclear.

Cruise did not respond to requests for comment by publication time.

Joel Umanzor can be reached at jumanzor@sfstandard.com


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