San Francisco mayor lets Waymo, Uber, Lyft on Market Street

As stories began trickling in early Thursday morning, followed by the press release from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office announcing that Waymo would be allowed to start passenger pick-ups and drop-offs on Market Street this week, the outrage was swift from groups opposed to letting the autonomous vehicles drive on specific areas of the corridor that had been dubbed “car free” since January 2020 with a few exceptions.

A coalition called Keep Market Moving Alliance, made up of several advocacy groups, including the San Francisco Transit Riders, Walk San Francisco, and San Francisco Taxi Workers Alliance, issued a press release condemning the mayor’s decision to allow not just Waymo, but also Uber Black and Lyft Black vehicles to operate on Market Street.

“The mayor’s escalation of his plan to add even more cars to Market Street while cutting Muni service will hurt public transit riders and downtown recovery alike,” said Dylan Fabris, the community and policy manager for San Francisco Transit Riders.

Transportation officials at the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency voted to truncate Muni service this summer. At the same time, Lurie announced in April that Waymo would be mapping the corridor, which did not sit well with transit advocates who had attempted to prevent Muni service cuts this summer.

Advocates are also worried about pedestrians once the vehicles are allowed to start operating on the corridor. “We haven’t forgotten what Market Street was like with private vehicles: very chaotic and dangerous for pedestrians,” said Marta Lindsey, the communications director for Walk San Francisco. 

A protest is set for Tuesday early evening at the intersection of Market and Montgomery streets opposing the mayor’s decision.

Lurie has touted the plan to allow Waymo and others to operate on Market Street as part of his plan to revitalize the corridor. “The Market Street corridor is key to our city’s recovery, and by thoughtfully expanding transportation options, we are going to bring residents and visitors back to enjoy everything Market Street has to offer,” Lurie said in a press statement. “With this new phase, we are identifying the tools to get people back to our theaters, hotels, and restaurants, and drive San Francisco’s comeback.”

Waymo, Uber, and Lyft black vehicles will only be allowed to pick up and drop off at specific locations and operate at specific hours. 

The autonomous vehicles can operate from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning. Uber and Lyft vehicles can only operate from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next morning.

Pick up and drop off locations are as follows:

– Market and Mason streets in front of IKEA

– Market and Sixth streets in front of Blick Art Materials

– Market and Taylor streets in front of The Warfield

– Market and Jones streets in front of Urban Alchemy (mid-block south)

– Market and Jones streets in front of Prism apartments (mid-block north)

– Market and Seventh streets, across from the Proper Hotel

– Market and Eighth streets near Trinity Place and Lighthouse for the Blind

The mayor’s office said the SFMTA will keep track of how Muni vehicles are performing, along with traffic conditions and any safety issues during an evaluation period, though there was no information on how the evaluation period will last. 

In a statement, SFMTA Director of Transportation Julie Kirschbaum said the agency’s priority is “keeping cyclists and pedestrians safe and ensuring Muni and emergency services run efficiently without disruption.”

Businesses on Market Street, including Ingka Centres, which is anchored by IKEA, the Salluhall food hall, and has office space on its upper floors, applauded the efforts in a statement as a way to attract more visitors to the area.

“The city’s decision to gradually allow rideshare pick-ups on Market Street will make it easier for residents, workers, and visitors to reach the neighborhood,” said Miia Kautovaara, meeting place manager for Ingka Centres.