Waymo Ojai vans open to all riders in three US cities, California clears 18-county expansion

Waymo has opened its Ojai purpose-built robotaxi to all riders in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix — ending the limited-access period that restricted the vehicle since it entered service earlier this year. Any member of the public can now hail an Ojai van in those three cities without an invitation or early-access code, the company announced August 20.

The Ojai is built by Chinese EV maker Zeekr and runs Waymo's sixth-generation Driver hardware, featuring an upgraded 17-megapixel camera system and a streamlined sensor array designed to handle adverse weather including snow. Waymo began limited Ojai service in LA, Phoenix, and San Francisco in May 2026.

California Approves 18-County Paid-Ride Expansion

The full public rollout comes days after Waymo's largest regulatory win to date. On August 14, California's Public Utilities Commission Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division signed off on Waymo Advice Letter 0004, clearing the Alphabet subsidiary to charge fares for fully driverless rides across 18 California counties — a corridor running from Sonoma County south to the Mexican border. The approval is effective immediately.

The CPUC clearance completes the second half of California's two-agency authorization process. The state's DMV already granted Waymo its geographic operating domain in November 2025. The CPUC's separate review focuses exclusively on passenger safety: rider education, support access, and incident response protocols.

Sacramento, San Diego, and Denver Next

Waymo also received CPUC permission this week to begin driverless service in Sacramento and San Diego — two cities outside its current network. Denver is expected to follow before the end of 2026. Together, these approvals position Waymo to cover most of California's major population centers with paid, fully driverless rides.

The year has not been without setbacks. In May, Waymo recalled approximately 3,800 robotaxis after some vehicles navigated into closed freeway construction zones. Freeway access was restored to the fleet in July after software updates and safety reviews.

As reported by Engadget, Waymo confirmed the all-riders Ojai launch via social media, highlighting the vehicle's spacious cabin and backseat entertainment system alongside its autonomous capabilities.