Robin Pam, Co-Founder of KidSafe SF, expressed concerns regarding the decision to allow autonomous vehicles (AV) on Market Street. She said that this move will exacerbate congestion, reduce the efficiency of Muni services, and compromise the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. This statement was made on the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition's (SFBC) website on April 10.
"With Muni facing service cuts this summer and a $322M deficit next year, San Francisco can't afford to give up the gains in Muni efficiency we've already made," said Pam. "The path to a thriving downtown is to make it a neighborhood that people want to live in and visit by building new housing and revitalizing our public spaces."
According to Planetizen, Waymo appears to be receiving preferential treatment from the city as it progresses towards offering autonomous taxi services on Market Street—a significant corridor closed to most private vehicles, including those operated by Uber and Lyft. While the Better Market Street program initially excluded ride-hailing companies to safeguard transit speed and safety, the city has discreetly permitted Waymo to map and survey the street, setting the stage for future operations. If approved, Waymo would obtain exclusive ride-hailing access on Market Street, providing it with a competitive advantage over other operators and raising questions about equity and transparency in city transportation policy.
Mayor Lurie's recent decision to permit Waymo's autonomous vehicles on Market Street marks a departure from the vision that guided the Better Market Street Project. The decision disrupts years of planning that prioritized public transit, pedestrian safety, and bike infrastructure over private and commercial traffic. It also comes shortly after the city sanctioned cuts to several Muni lines serving Market Street. Introducing new vehicle traffic, particularly from private services like Waymo, could slow down buses, necessitate additional resources to maintain service levels, and undermine financial and service gains achieved over the past five years.
Pam is a San Francisco-based advocate for parks, safe streets, and sustainable urban transportation according to her LinkedIn profile. She co-founded KidSafe SF, an organization promoting walkable and bike-friendly neighborhoods for families and seniors. A Stanford graduate in American Studies, Pam has a professional background in product marketing at companies such as Stripe, Optimizely, and Practice Fusion. She has also led successful civic campaigns.