Alphabet’s robotaxi subsidiary Waymo announced plans to expand its service areas in Los Angeles and San Francisco, marking the most intense expansion for the company this year.
Waymo announced Tuesday that it would expand its area of operations in San Francisco by 10 square miles, increasing its total area of service to 55 square miles. The expansion will move Waymo south, covering Broadmoor, Colma and Daly City.
The expansion in San Francisco comes after the company recently ended its waitlist period in the city, opening up the Waymo driverless taxi experience to all customers in the area.
Additionally, Waymo expanded its area of operations in Los Angeles to include Playa Vista, Marina Del Rey and Mar Vista. The Los Angeles expansion brings the total operational area up to 79 square miles. Waymo began charging customers for rides in March 2024 and has expanded the operational area in the city greatly since it launched in late 2023.
The new expansions still leave airports without Waymo access. While the company has steadily increased its footprint in both cities over the past few years, Waymo’s robotaxis do not have access to Los Angeles International Airport or San Francisco International Airport.
However, the company recently started offering Phoenix customers rides to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
This week’s expansion comes after a $5 billion investment from Waymo’s parent company Alphabet, which will likely help the company continue its expansion streak. The company also has enjoyed relative dominance in the robotaxi field after General Motors’ Cruise robotaxi disintegrated late last year.
• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.
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