A proposed expansion of commercial robotaxi services in upstate New York has been put on hold after Governor Kathy Hochul decided to withdraw the plan. The move follows discussions with lawmakers and stakeholders, who indicated there was not enough support to move the proposal forward.
“Based on conversations with stakeholders, including in the legislature, it was clear that the support was not there to advance this proposal,” a spokesperson for Hochul said on Thursday. The decision affects efforts to allow autonomous vehicle services in smaller cities outside New York City.
The withdrawal is a setback for Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet Inc.. Waymo received its first permit in August to test autonomous vehicles in New York City, but only with a trained specialist behind the wheel. The company currently provides about 400,000 driverless rides per week in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, among other cities. It had aimed to expand further in New York to tap into a larger user base. “While we are disappointed by the governor’s decision, we’re committed to bringing our service to New York and will work with the State Legislature to advance this issue,” a Waymo spokesperson said. The company added that its testing authority in New York City will expire on March 31 if not extended and that it is not allowed to offer paid driverless rides in the state. “We hear from thousands of New Yorkers who have experienced Waymo in other cities and want access to it at home,” the spokesperson added.
Autonomous vehicles continue to face regulatory and safety scrutiny. The New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which represents 28,000 drivers, praised Hochul’s move, calling it a “sensible decision to pull the highly unpopular upstate Waymo robotaxi pilot bill….. Just like New York City drivers have fought and won accountability from Uber and Lyft — winning minimum pay standards, a vehicle cap and unemployment benefits to our recent just cause victory — drivers are ready to stand up to Waymo.” Federal agencies recently opened an investigation after a Waymo vehicle struck a young girl near a school in Santa Monica, causing minor injuries. Meanwhile, Chamber of Progress CEO Adam Kovacevich said, “Autonomous vehicles are already driving down accident rates and improving pedestrian safety in Arizona, California and Texas. It’s disappointing that Governor Hochul is withdrawing her proposal, because New Yorkers deserve the same proven protections.” Some lawmakers are pushing Congress to pass legislation to ease nationwide deployment of self-driving vehicles.
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