Read our initial joint statement with other mobility advocates here.
Mayor Daniel Lurie’s unilateral decision today to allow Waymo free rein on Market Street is dangerous, undemocratic, inequitable, and un-San Franciscan. This plan unfairly benefits Waymo — an under-regulated multibillion-dollar tech corporation — at the expense of the safety and mobility of real San Franciscans.
Removing cars from Market Street has demonstrably improved Muni service and reduced injuries for pedestrians and people on bikes, improving Muni travel times by up to 14% and reducing traffic collisions on Market by 40%. These successes are the result of two decades of work by city agencies, public servants, elected officials, and advocates to create and implement a plan to improve Market Street. With this announcement, Mayor Lurie is upending that public process and setting a troubling precedent of unchecked mayoral interference.
Allowing Waymo exclusive access to Market Street essentially creates a nearly two-mile-long City-sanctioned monopoly for the Google-owned tech company — all while the City is drastically cutting vital Muni service on the same corridor. Transit riders will now not only need to deal with increased transfers and delays brought on by upcoming service cuts, but also the delays and hazards caused by a fleet of new Waymo vehicles flooding Market Street.
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