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But at least, fewer cars needlessly taking up valuable real estate for parking in high density areas.

by morcus 1y ago

Yizahi 1y ago
The only people who can afford daily taxi, twice a day, are already rich. Those are the people who can afford any private car parking price near the office, or most likely will have a spot reserved included in their high paying job. I do agree that this fleet will slightly alleviate parking issue for people sporadically taking cars, not regularly. But at the cost of more congestion on the roads, especially in the already congested city centers, since that will be overwhelming majority of trip start or end points.
- roryirvine 1y ago
  Approximately no-one will use it in that way in London. Travelling by car is almost always slower than public transport, usually substantially so. Just about everyone who commutes from zone 2-5 into central London will be better served by continuing to use the bus, tube, overground, tram, light rail, and national rail systems just as they do now. The only exceptions will be people with specific mobility needs (usually requiring an adapted vehicle), security requirements (senior govt ministers, royalty, foreign dignitaries of one sort or another), or who need their vehicle for work. None of those groups will be well-served by Waymo, so they'll continue to have to put up with using private vehicles. Where it will be useful is for one-off journeys. Coming home after a night out, especially if it's in the wee hours when you might otherwise have to wait 20 minutes for public transport. Going to/from hospital. Getting to the airport with luggage for an early flight. Going clubbing when you're not wearing very much and it's raining heavily outside. There are plenty of situations like that when people are happy to pay £20 more and put up with a longer journey, but for most people it'll be a few times a month rather than a daily occurrence.

But at least, fewer cars needlessly taking up valuable real estate for parking in high density areas.

by morcus 1y ago

But at least, fewer cars needlessly taking up valuable real estate for parking in high density areas.

The only people who can afford daily taxi, twice a day, are already rich. Those are the people who can afford any private car parking price near the office, or most likely will have a spot reserved included in their high paying job. I do agree that this fleet will slightly alleviate parking issue for people sporadically taking cars, not regularly. But at the cost of more congestion on the roads, especially in the already congested city centers, since that will be overwhelming majority of trip start or end points.

roryirvine 1y ago
Approximately no-one will use it in that way in London. Travelling by car is almost always slower than public transport, usually substantially so. Just about everyone who commutes from zone 2-5 into central London will be better served by continuing to use the bus, tube, overground, tram, light rail, and national rail systems just as they do now. The only exceptions will be people with specific mobility needs (usually requiring an adapted vehicle), security requirements (senior govt ministers, royalty, foreign dignitaries of one sort or another), or who need their vehicle for work. None of those groups will be well-served by Waymo, so they'll continue to have to put up with using private vehicles. Where it will be useful is for one-off journeys. Coming home after a night out, especially if it's in the wee hours when you might otherwise have to wait 20 minutes for public transport. Going to/from hospital. Getting to the airport with luggage for an early flight. Going clubbing when you're not wearing very much and it's raining heavily outside. There are plenty of situations like that when people are happy to pay £20 more and put up with a longer journey, but for most people it'll be a few times a month rather than a daily occurrence.