Waymo provides over 400,000 paid rides weekly across six major cities, yet New York just blocked expanding that success upstate. Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew her budget proposal that would have allowed companies like Waymo to operate commercial robotaxi services outside New York City, citing insufficient stakeholder support.
Political Reality Meets Silicon Valley Ambition
Union opposition and job concerns derailed what seemed like inevitable tech progress.
The shelved proposal included a $1 million application fee, $5 million in financial security, and requirements for state transportation commissioner approval, plus local community support. Taxi unions, the Uber-backed Independent Drivers Guild, and Assembly Member Karines Reyes led opposition efforts, warning that 170,000 TLC-licensed drivers faced job displacement.
Hochul’s spokesperson Sean Butler confirmed the withdrawal reflected legislative resistance rather than safety concerns.
Testing Continues While Commercial Dreams Stall
Waymo’s Manhattan pilot program proceeds despite the regulatory setback.
Waymo currently tests up to eight Jaguar I-Pace vehicles with safety drivers in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn through March 31, operating under a restrictive pilot program that prohibits commercial service. The company stated it remains “disappointed but committed to New York via legislative collaboration,” with Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana noting the “potential to build fans even outside NYC.”
Meanwhile, Waymo aims to reach one million weekly rides globally and expand to 20 cities, including Dallas, Orlando, and London.
The Legislative Path Forward
Transportation committee chair pushesa standalone bill while planning Phoenix fact-finding missions.
Senator Jeremy Cooney, chair of the Transportation Committee, continues championing a standalone autonomous vehicle bill, citing Waymo’s safety claims of 90% fewer serious crashes than human drivers. Cooney plans to organize legislative trips to Phoenix, where lawmakers can experience Waymo’s commercial service firsthand.
The withdrawal reflects New York’s cautious approach to disruptive technology, prioritizing existing workforce protection over innovation. For now, Waymo’s expansion into America’s fourth-largest state remains stalled in committee rooms rather than accelerating on upstate highways.
