New York Governor Kathy Hochul has decided to withdraw her proposal to allow robotaxi companies to operate commercially in cities outside of New York City. This decision comes after a lack of support from state legislators, as reported by Bloomberg today. The news is disappointing for companies like Waymo, who saw New York, especially New York City, as a lucrative opportunity for their robotaxi services.
The initial plan, which was included in the state’s budget proposal last month, aimed to permit limited deployment of robotaxis in cities other than New York City, leaving the decision about autonomous vehicles in the Big Apple to the mayor and City Council. However, without the necessary backing from lawmakers, the proposal has been shelved.
Sean Butler, a spokesperson for Governor Hochul, stated, “Based on conversations with stakeholders, including in the legislature, it was clear that the support was not there to advance this proposal.” This setback is particularly challenging for Waymo, which has been actively lobbying Hochul and state officials since 2019, spending at least $1.8 million in the process.
Waymo remains determined to bring its services to New York and will collaborate with the State Legislature to address this issue. Ethan Teicher, a spokesperson for the company, expressed disappointment in the Governor’s decision but emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach that prioritizes transparency and public safety.
Currently, New York only allows autonomous vehicles with safety drivers who are required to have their hands on the steering wheel. While the state law previously mandated a police escort for AVs, this requirement was removed in a law renewal a few years ago.
Despite not being as accommodating as states like Arizona or Texas in terms of regulations, New York presents a significant opportunity for automakers and tech companies due to its large taxi market. This makes it an attractive target for robotaxi services, despite the challenges posed by the current regulatory environment.