Waymo’s lobbying activity in SF spikes in 2024

Waymo lobbyists have had a busy 2024.

A recent review of lobbying disclosure data by San Francisco Examiner Waymo disclosed paying lobbyists to meet with San Francisco government officials 348 times last year, more than double the 137 times it reported in 2023.

The pop of lobbying activity coincides with Waymo’s expansion into San Francisco — and its ambitions in the greater Bay Area. Waymo has had a presence in the San Francisco area since 2009, but it wasn’t until August 2023 that the company Able to charge fees to customers -24 hours a day and all over the city -for rides in its fleet of self-driving Jaguar I-Pace cars.

Since then, Waymo has expanded its footprint and the number of customers it serves. Waymo He canceled the waiting list Launched last June for the San Francisco Robotaxi service, it removes the final hurdle for customers eager to use self-driving technology. Last year, the company expanded its coverage area Another 10 square miles To include cities in the Gulf region and began Testing driverless vehicles on SF highways.

Waymo also wants to be able to pick up and drop off customers at the San Francisco airport, says TechCrunch I mentioned last July; Lobbyist disclosure data separately shows a rise in visits with Airport Authority officials.