Waymo Lobbying in San Francisco: 2024 Surge

Waymo's Increased Lobbying Efforts in San Francisco

Lobbying activities undertaken by Waymo saw a significant increase during 2024. An analysis of recent lobbyist disclosure reports, conducted by the San Francisco Examiner, indicates that Waymo engaged lobbyists in 348 meetings with San Francisco government representatives last year.

This figure represents more than a doubling of the 137 meetings reported in 2023. The surge in lobbying corresponds directly with Waymo’s ongoing expansion within San Francisco and its broader goals for the Bay Area region.

A History of Operation and Recent Developments

Waymo has maintained a presence in the San Francisco area since 2009. However, it wasn't until August 2023 that the company gained permission to begin charging passengers for rides.

These rides are provided 24/7 throughout the city using Waymo’s fleet of self-driving Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. Since then, the company has broadened its operational scope and increased its customer base.

In June of the previous year, Waymo eliminated its waitlist for its San Francisco robotaxi service. This removal of a key barrier allowed more customers to experience the benefits of self-driving technology.

Expansion and Future Plans

Waymo further expanded its service area by an additional 10 square miles. This expansion included several Bay Area cities and the commencement of testing driverless vehicles on San Francisco’s freeway system.

The company is also actively pursuing authorization to provide passenger pick-up and drop-off services at San Francisco International Airport. As previously reported by TechCrunch last July, lobbying efforts have increased in relation to meetings with airport authority officials.

This increased engagement suggests a strategic focus on securing approvals for comprehensive service offerings within the region.