Waymo rides cost more than Uber or Lyft and people are paying anyway (techcrunch.com)

Article summary

Waymo's self-driving car rides are consistently more expensive than those offered by Uber and Lyft, with an average price of $20.43 compared to $14.44 for Lyft and $15.58 for Uber. Despite the higher cost, people are still using Waymo, with 70% of users preferring a driverless car to a traditional rideshare or taxi. The higher pricing may be due to Waymo's less sophisticated pricing model and the novelty of the technology.

Main themes

• autonomous vehicles
• ride-hailing services
• safety and reliability
• cost and pricing
• job displacement
• convenience and novelty
• transportation technology

What commenters say

• Some users are willing to pay a premium for the convenience and safety of a driverless car, as well as the ability to avoid interacting with a human driver.
• The lack of a human driver is a major advantage of Waymo, as it eliminates the risk of unpleasant interactions or unsafe driving.
• Others argue that the cost savings of autonomous vehicles will ultimately be given to company executives, rather than benefiting workers or consumers.
• The safety and reliability of Waymo are major draws for users, who appreciate the consistency and predictability of the service.
• Some commenters express concern about the potential for autonomous vehicles to displace human workers, and the ethics of prioritizing convenience over employment.
• Others see autonomous vehicles as a necessary step forward for safety and efficiency, and argue that the benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks.
• The novelty of the technology is also a major factor in its appeal, with some users willing to pay more for the experience of riding in a self-driving car.