Waymo Ready For Carrying Passengers In Napa County

CALIFORNIA — Waymo is poised to begin carrying passengers in new counties after California regulators approved a major expansion of the company's driverless passenger-service territory.

The California Public Utilities Commission issued its approval on Friday allowing Waymo to offer driverless passenger rides, but the company has not announced when service will begin.

Waymo’s newly approved operating territory spans portions of 18 California counties, including areas where the company already carries passengers, such as San Francisco, as well as newly authorized areas in parts of Napa, Sonoma, and Contra Costa counties.

The California Public Utilities Commission expansion covers Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, Marin, Napa, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, Ventura, and Yolo counties.

Regulation 'biggest threat'

The move follows separate approval from the California Department of Motor Vehicles that cleared the way to passenger rides.

The DMV authorization covers Sonoma County communities including Santa Rosa, Petaluma, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Windsor, Sebastopol, Cloverdale, Cotati, and Rohnert Park. In Napa County, the approved territory includes Napa, American Canyon, Calistoga, St. Helena, and Yountville.

The two state approvals regulate different parts of Waymo's operation.

The DMV regulates whether autonomous vehicles can test and operate on public roads without a human driver. The CPUC regulates autonomous passenger service, including the authority companies need to transport members of the public in driverless vehicles.

Lobbying groups see regulation as an impediment to expanding autonomous vehicles.

Consumer Choice Center echoed other calls on states to embrace autonomous vehicles.

The lobbying group said that California is one of the most permissive states in terms of autonomous vehicles, including heavy-duty vehicles.

In April, the California DMV adopted regulations allowing manufacturers to apply to test and deploy autonomous vehicles weighing 10,001 pounds or more. But Golden State lawmakers and unions been been seeking tighter controls on autonomous vehicles delivering goods directly to homes and businesses.

CPUC approval does not guarantee Waymo vehicles will begin picking up passengers in affected counties immediately. Waymo can introduce service incrementally within its authorized territory as it expands operations.

Related: Waymo Clears Bigger Path Toward Napa Valley

Waymo To Bring Driverless Rideshare Service To This CA City

Waymo Robotaxis Yanked From CA Highways As CA Pushes New Legislation