4 ms·

Probably because SFO felt the heat after Waymo acquired SJC approval quickly: https://sfstandard.com/2025/09/05/phoenix-has-airport-robotaxis-re-coming-san-jos-

• spike021 1y ago
  the major difference being that SJC is easily accessible by surface streets whereas SFO mostly isn't.
  • ra7 1y ago
    Yes, but SFO (and the city of SF) has a long history of being hostile towards Waymo: https://missionlocal.org/2023/11/waymo-rebuffed-by-sfo-sf-guerilla-warfare-vs-robotaxis-is-on/ https://missionlocal.org/2023/11/waymo-rebuffed-by-sfo-sf-gu... What likely happened now is that SFO got a kick up their backside from the Mayor after the press started asking why it was still dragging its feet, while SJC approved Waymo swiftly.
  • e_y_ 1y ago
    And Waymo doesn't currently operate on highways for passenger service (I think they have authorization to, but they're only testing on highways right now). They should be able to get to SFO from Millbrae Ave and San Bruno Ave without getting on the highway proper, although it'll likely be a lot slower unless you're getting a ride from nearby. While SJC can serve downtown SJ and Santa Clara without getting on a highway.
• e_y_ 1y ago
  Most likely both agreements had been in negotiations for a while and not something they just pulled together last week in response to SJC, although it's possibly they could have used it as leverage (hey we've talking to SJC ...)