New York Governor Pulls Robotaxi Expansion Proposal

Hochul withdraws plan to allow commercial autonomous vehicle services in smaller cities outside NYC.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has withdrawn her proposal to allow commercial robotaxi services in smaller cities outside of New York City, according to a spokesperson. The move is seen as a setback for autonomous vehicle company Waymo, which was hoping to expand its robotaxi operations in the state.

Why it matters

The decision to pull the robotaxi expansion proposal reflects concerns from stakeholders, including the state legislature, about the readiness and safety of autonomous vehicle technology for wider deployment. This highlights the ongoing challenges self-driving operations face in gaining public and regulatory acceptance, despite potential benefits like improved traffic safety.

The details

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle unit of Alphabet, received its first permit to begin testing autonomous vehicles in New York City last year, but with a trained specialist behind the wheel. The company was hoping to grow its foothold in the robotaxi market and reach a larger pool of potential users in New York state. However, the governor's spokesperson said that based on conversations with stakeholders, there was not enough support to advance the proposal.

  • On February 19, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew her proposal to allow commercial robotaxi services in smaller cities outside of New York City.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who withdrew the proposal to expand robotaxi services in the state.

Waymo

An autonomous vehicle company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, that was hoping to expand its robotaxi operations in New York.

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What they’re saying

“While we are disappointed by the Governor's decision, we're committed to bringing our service to New York and will work with the State Legislature to advance this issue.”

— Waymo spokesperson (Reuters)

“Autonomous vehicles are already driving down accident rates and improving pedestrian safety in Arizona, California, and Texas. It's disappointing that Governor Hochul is withdrawing her proposal, because New Yorkers deserve the same proven protections.”

— Adam Kovacevich, CEO, Chamber of Progress (Reuters)

What’s next

Waymo has stated that it will continue to work with the New York State Legislature to try to advance the proposal for expanding robotaxi services in the state.

The takeaway

The withdrawal of the robotaxi expansion proposal in New York highlights the ongoing challenges autonomous vehicle companies face in gaining widespread public and regulatory acceptance, despite the potential benefits. This decision reflects concerns about the readiness and safety of the technology, underscoring the need for continued collaboration between industry, government, and stakeholders to address these issues.