New York Halts Plans for Robottaxis, Dealing Blow to Waymo

Governor Hochul withdraws proposal to allow driverless taxis across the state, citing lack of legislative support.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul has pulled a proposal that would have allowed driverless taxis, or "robottaxis," to operate in cities across the state outside of New York City. The decision is a major setback for Alphabet's self-driving car company Waymo, which had been lobbying extensively to expand its service in New York. State officials cited a lack of support from legislators as the reason for withdrawing the plan.

Why it matters

Waymo has been aggressively expanding its robottaxi operations in recent years, but New York's reversal on the proposal is a significant roadblock to the company's growth plans. The decision reflects ongoing concerns from labor unions, rideshare drivers, and transit workers about the potential impact of driverless vehicles on jobs and public safety.

The details

The proposal would have allowed Waymo and other autonomous vehicle companies to deploy robottaxis in cities across New York state, beyond just New York City where Waymo is currently testing with safety drivers. However, the plan faced significant pushback, particularly in the state legislature. 'Based on conversations with stakeholders, including in the legislature, it was clear that the support was not there to advance this proposal,' said Sean Butler, speaking for Governor Hochul.

  • On February 19, 2026, Governor Hochul withdrew the proposal to allow robottaxis statewide.
  • Waymo has been testing its autonomous vehicles with safety drivers in New York City since 2023, but that permit is set to expire at the end of March 2026.

The players

Kathy Hochul

The Governor of New York who withdrew the proposal to allow robottaxis across the state.

Waymo

An autonomous driving company and subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, that was hoping to expand its robottaxi service in New York.

Sean Butler

A spokesperson for Governor Hochul who cited a lack of legislative support as the reason for withdrawing the robottaxi proposal.

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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. The path forward requires a collaborative approach that prioritizes transparency and public safety.”

— Ethan Teicher, Waymo Spokesperson (SiliconANGLE)

What’s next

Waymo plans to continue working with the New York State Legislature to try to advance its plans for robottaxi operations in the state, despite the current setback.

The takeaway

New York's decision to halt plans for robottaxis is a significant blow to Waymo's expansion efforts, reflecting ongoing concerns about the potential impact of driverless vehicles on jobs and public safety. The company will need to take a more collaborative approach with state lawmakers and other stakeholders to overcome this roadblock.