New York Governor Kathy Hochul has withdrawn a proposal that would have allowed driverless taxis across the state, excluding New York City. The decision, attributed to a lack of support from state legislators, represents a significant setback for Alphabet Inc.'s self-driving car unit, Waymo. The company had reportedly invested approximately $1.8 million since 2019 in lobbying efforts for the expansion.
A spokesperson for Governor Hochul stated that "Based on conversations with stakeholders, including in the legislature, it was clear that the support was not there to advance this proposal." This development does not impact Waymo's ongoing testing in New York City, which currently involves safety drivers. The city has seen considerable opposition from labor unions, rideshare drivers, and transit workers regarding Waymo's testing permit, approved by former Mayor Eric Adams, which is set to expire at the end of March.
Waymo expressed disappointment but remains committed to its New York ambitions, vowing to collaborate with the State Legislature. The company is actively expanding its autonomous vehicle operations, outpacing competitors like Tesla. Waymo currently conducts around 400,000 rides weekly across cities including Phoenix, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with plans for further expansion into markets like Dallas and Denver.