SAN FRANCISCO (NEWSnet/AP) — California regulators on Thursday approved operation of two robotaxi services to operate in San Francisco at all hours, despite safety concerns spurred by unexpected stops and erratic behavior.

The decision by the state's Public Utilities Commission will make San Francisco the first major U.S. city with two fleets of driverless vehicles around the clock, Cruise and Waymo, amid a range of ride-hailing and traditional taxi services. Both companies view the San Francisco expansions as a step to launching similar services in other metro areas.

“We can’t wait for more San Franciscans to experience the mobility, safety, sustainability and accessibility benefits of full autonomy for themselves — all at the touch of a button,” Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a blog post.

During public comments at Thursday’s meeting, many speakers derided the robotaxis as annoying nuisances at best and dangerous menaces at worst.

In response, Waymo says there is so much interest in its robotaxis that it has up a waiting list of more than 100,000 people wanting to take a driverless ride through the streets of San Francisco.

Monday’s hearing ahead of the vote included sobering report by San Francisco Fire Department Chief Jeanine Nicholson, who warned regulators that the robotaxis had been repeatedly undermining firefighters' ability to respond to emergencies.

To underscore her point, Nicholson cited 55 written reports of the robotaxis interfering with emergency responses.

Cruise has been testing 300 robotaxis during the day when it can only give rides for free, and 100 robotaxis at night when it has been allowed to charge for rides in less congested parts of San Francisco.

Waymo has been operating about 100 of the 250 robotaxis it has available to give free rides to volunteers and employees throughout San Francisco.

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