Waymo has broadened its autonomous vehicle service in Los Angeles County, now including several major entertainment destinations.
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The service has had a growing presence in the county, covering areas from Santa Monica to downtown L.A., Hollywood to Culver City. Now, with the expansion, riders can expect drop-offs and pickups in Westchester and parts of Inglewood, including the Kia Forum, SoFi Stadium, and HHLA, opening up new transportation possibilities for residents across a wider swath of the city.
Among those celebrating this expansion is Fernando Gomez, co-founder of Integrated Community Collaborative, an organization serving the Special Needs community that has partnered with Waymo.
Gomez's enthusiasm stems from a personal connection to the benefits of accessible transportation. “I’m a father of two young men who have an intellectual dependable disability. One has Down syndrome, and the other one is on the spectrum,” Gomez told KNX News’ Emily Valdez.
He sees Waymo as a positive force for change.
“Waymo is like having your own car because it gives you the independence. It also eliminates what potentially has biases or negative interactions,” Gomez explained. He also emphasized the importance of consistency for those who struggle with routine changes, noting, “Waymo’s consistent service reduces anxiety for individuals who may struggle with changes in routine or unfamiliar drivers.” These factors, Gomez believes, make Waymo's expanded service particularly beneficial for individuals with needs similar to his sons.
“We're excited because not only does it now provide an opportunity for individuals who live within that expansion area, but individuals who are now in the coverage area that we've been using are able to now come into an area that we've been anticipating, if you will, to be able to access,” Gomez said.
Waymo’s robo-rides are priced comparably to services like Uber and Lyft, and sometimes even cheaper, with the added benefit of not requiring a tip.
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