TRANSPORTATION NEWS
Waymo scraps San Antonio waitlist for self-driving robotaxi rides
Waymo will also introduce its new Ojai fleet to San Antonio.
After building a long waiting list, Alphabet’s self-driving technology company Waymo has opened its app to all San Antonio riders. The service is available for select locations, including San Antonio International Airport.
Although Waymo’s sedans have become a common sight in San Antonio, riders will also be matched with the company’s new minivans. The Ojai utilize the company's sixth-generation driving system and feature LED screens to allow riders to customize temperature and music.
Waymo’s current service area is mostly limited to the central core (sorry, Shavano Park), but does cover downtown, Dellview, Southtown, and Alamo Heights. A full service map is available here.
According to price comparison site RideWise, Waymo’s San Antonio fares include a $3 base price and an additional $2.25 per mile. That makes the local average trip cost around $20, slightly more than human-operated rideshares or traditional taxis.
Waymo first launched public service to a limited San Antonio map in February, broadening to the airport in late March. In April and May, the company paused services to complete software updates that improved rider safety, including the ability to detect floodwaters.
The rollout only produced a few incidents, including an April report of a passengerless car getting stuck in high waters. The only known pedestrian injury from a Waymo in San Antonio involved a human driver behind the wheel.
Transportation advocates in the Alamo City welcomed Waymo’s expansion to all riders.
"Welcoming Waymo to San Antonio gives our community another reliable, attentive way to move around the city while supporting our broader mission to make local streets safer and more connected for all ages and abilities,” said Cristina Solorzano, Ghisallo Cycling Initiative Program Director, in a release.
