Waymo robotaxis now open to all in San Antonio, San Diego, Tampa

Anyone in San Antonio, San Diego or Tampa can now open the Waymo app, tap for a ride and get a car that drives itself. The service is no longer limited to a selected group of riders in these three cities. Waymo announced that it is open to everyone starting today.

Waymo says the service has been running in these cities since earlier this year, and it reports that it has already welcomed hundreds of thousands of riders. Those trips, in the company's words, go to the beach, a hockey game, the Riverwalk or a grocery run. The figure is Waymo's own; it has not been checked by an outside party in the material available here.

The opening also covers San Antonio International Airport, so travelers flying in or out can choose a driverless ride to or from the terminal. Jesus Saenz, Director of Airports for the City of San Antonio Aviation, said the offering “marks a significant milestone for Waymo, our city and travelers.” In San Diego, Bob Kelly, founder and CEO of the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, linked the service to older residents: “Transportation is the lifeline of independence for older adults.”

For residents and visitors of these three cities, the change is immediate: a fully autonomous option is now available to anyone with the app, not only to an invited group. For older adults who no longer drive, and for people catching early flights, it adds a new way to get around. What it does not yet show is how much capacity exists in each city, what the rides cost, or where the service goes next. Those answers are not in the announcement.