Waymo manufactures and operates a fleet of self-driving cars with the stated intention of making the road safer for everyone. However, some localities, like New York, would prefer not to have Waymo on their streets. This isn’t surprising considering all the issues that have surrounded the company lately. Waymo had to recall nearly 3,900 robotaxis after they repeatedly entered closed construction zones. There was also a recent incident of driverless Wamyo taxis speeding away in Atlanta.
The situation resulted in a legal battle between Waymo and the nation’s most populous city. The New York Times reports that Waymo has faced opposition from labor groups and New York politicians. Governor Kathy Hochul, who previously expressed interest in legalizing Waymo autonomous taxis across New York state, has since withdrawn her support in response to political outcry.
While there are certainly safety concerns surrounding the use of AI-powered autonomous vehicles, it’s clear that the main reason for New York City’s rejection of Waymo is to support local workers. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will weigh taxi drivers’ interests when deciding rules for autonomous vehicle technology. The current state of leadership and worker advocacy in New York means the status quo with Waymo is unlikely to change anytime soon.
Will Waymo ever come to New York?
Despite the incidents and controversies, Waymo still believes it can make your streets safer. The company also has a large support base. In March 2026, Waymo announced (via X) that it was offering 500,000 paid rides per week. A 2025 poll by GrowSF suggested that two-thirds of San Francisco residents support autonomous vehicles like those produced by Waymo. These numbers paint a very different picture than what we are currently seeing in New York.
Waymo’s global head of public policy, Justin Kintz, seems to think it’s only a matter of time before New Yorkers are swayed. Kintz explained (via the New York Times): “We want to meet people and governments where they are. And we know that some of them will take longer than others. But we are committed to our strategy. We are committed to earning trust. ยป Those who oppose self-driving taxis in New York are currently celebrating a victory, but Waymo still aims to deploy its products on the streets of New York.
