Megan McArdle, a columnist for the Washington Post, has expressed skepticism regarding the cost-effectiveness of Waymo rides compared to Uber and their potential to address disability parking challenges in the foreseeable future. Her comments raise questions about whether current robotaxi services can significantly assist riders with mobility needs.
“Anyway, at the moment, Waymo is not cheaper than an Uber to operate, and at minimum it will be a very long time until it is cheaper,” said McArdle, Commentator. “So I don’t think you should expect this to meaningfully address the disability parking problem for decades.”
According to McArdle, there is ongoing debate over whether autonomous taxis can alleviate parking pressures for people with disabilities by reducing the need for personal driving and parking. While advocates for autonomous vehicles (AVs) often highlight potential benefits, Waymo’s materials indicate that its robotaxis operate only within defined, pre-mapped zones in metropolitan areas such as Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. This limited service area, combined with fares that are not cheaper than Uber, leads McArdle to argue that this technology is unlikely to meaningfully address disability parking issues for an extended period.
Recent pricing analyses support McArdle’s view that Waymo is not more economical than traditional ride-hailing services. A 2025 study by price-comparison platform Obi, reported by Business Insider, examined approximately 90,000 quotes in San Francisco and found that average Waymo rides cost about $20.43 compared to $15.58 for Uber and $14.44 for Lyft. This makes Waymo 31% more expensive than Uber and 41% more than Lyft. TechCrunch and other outlets have similarly found Waymo’s per-kilometer prices higher than major competitors on typical trips. Analysts suggest it could take years before AV rides become broadly cheaper than human-driven options.
Waymo has launched accessibility efforts including an Accessibility Network and app features like audio cues and a distance-to-car compass to assist some riders with disabilities. It also offers wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) in San Francisco and Los Angeles; however, these WAVs are manually driven and arranged as a separate service for riders who cannot use fully autonomous cars. Public health data shows that more than one in four U.S. adults reports a disability, with mobility being the most common type. For many older adults or individuals needing assistance with doors, luggage, or transfers, a driverless service requiring walking to pickup zones may not be a viable substitute for accessible human assistance.
Waymo is led by co-chief executive officer Tekedra Nzinga Mawakana, who oversees overall company strategy and commercialization of the “Waymo Driver.” According to company profiles, she holds degrees from Trinity Washington University and Columbia Law School and previously led global policy teams at companies such as Steptoe & Johnson, Startec, AOL, Yahoo, and eBay. Joining Waymo in 2017 as COO before becoming co-CEO in 2021, Mawakana emphasizes a safety-first approach as the company rolls out robotaxis in selected cities while working with disability advocates through initiatives like the Waymo Accessibility Network.
