Overview
- The governor removed budget language that would have allowed limited commercial robotaxi pilots beyond New York City, citing a lack of legislative and stakeholder support.
- With the proposal pulled, the state’s existing AV pilot program remains, permitting testing under exemptions but not commercial driverless ride‑hailing.
- Hochul’s plan would have barred deployments in cities over one million residents and required local buy‑in, state approval, a $1 million application fee, and at least $5 million in financial security.
- Waymo called the decision disappointing and said it will work with the Legislature, while its NYC testing continues under a permit for up to eight Jaguar I‑Pace vehicles with human safety drivers through March 31 in Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn.
- Labor and driver groups celebrated the retreat amid safety and job‑loss concerns, and recent polling showed public skepticism as federal reviews of Waymo’s incidents, including a child struck in Santa Monica, continue.