Waymo begins picking up passengers on SF’s Market Street

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco is allowing ride-hailing companies to return to Market Street starting Tuesday.

Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office said the change is all about bringing people back downtown to support the city’s economic recovery. Opponents argue it will put pedestrians in harm’s way.

Waymo and a limited number of Uber Black and Lyft Black will be allowed to operate on Market Street. There are seven designated ride-hailing loading zones on Market Street, as shown in the map below:

According to the mayor’s office, services will be allowed to run during off-peak hours. For Waymo, that’s from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Uber Black and Lyft Black will operate at night from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Hours and locations may change in the months ahead.

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will start evaluating ride-hailing companies on Market Street starting Tuesday. The agency will be looking at safety data, customer experience and demand.

Pedestrian safety advocates said the rollout will hurt Muni ridership and will lead to more people being hit by cars. According to Walk SF, banning private cars on Market Street in 2020 was a big win for safety, and bringing autonomous cars back would be a step in the wrong direction.

Merchants on Market Street tell a different story. Tonya Pitts at One Market Restaurant said people will “have more access and opportunity to come down to the Financial District and down to the Ferry Plaza and enjoy the area.”