Waymo rides cost more than Uber or Lyft and people are paying anyway

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Why Riders Pay a Premium for Waymo

  • Many commenters say they deliberately choose Waymo even when it’s more expensive.
  • Key motivations:
    • No need to tip or stress over ratings.
    • Private space: no driver, no small talk, no smells, no pressure.
    • Novelty and “riding the future” appeal, especially for visitors.

Perceived Safety, Comfort, and Consistency

  • Numerous reports of bad Uber/Lyft experiences: reckless or sleepy driving, drivers high/drunk, strong odors, loud calls or media, unsafe late‑night situations.
  • Waymo is seen as:
    • More predictable in driving style (smooth, non‑aggressive, better around cyclists/pedestrians).
    • More trustworthy than “a random human” for many, especially women, parents, and those prone to motion sickness.
  • Some still feel “autonomavertigo” and distrust giving up control, but they are a minority in this thread.

Human Interaction, Tipping, and Cultural Shifts

  • Strong theme: people will pay extra to avoid awkward or stressful social interactions (drivers, phone calls, upselling, tipping prompts).
  • Tipping is a major psychological factor: some overtip heavily, others refuse; several say they’d rather pay a higher all‑in price than deal with tipping at all.
  • Commenters note generational and cultural differences (US vs Europe/Japan) in tolerance for phone calls and face‑to‑face service.

Pricing, Value, and Profitability

  • Some data in the article and anecdotes show Waymo ~30–50% more per km; others report Waymo often cheaper (especially vs Uber Black or “comfort” tiers).
  • Once tips and upgrades are included, several argue the effective gap is smaller or even reversed.
  • Unclear whether Waymo is profitable; many assume current prices are shaped by high capex, limited fleet, and market-testing rather than true marginal cost.

Cleanliness, Maintenance, and Future Drift

  • Today’s Waymos are consistently described as clean, well‑maintained Jaguars or Ioniqs.
  • Skeptics predict “enshittification”: dirtier interiors, more aggressive optimization, more nickel‑and‑diming as competition settles.
  • Others argue centralized depots, cameras, and easy reporting give Waymo better long‑term tools to keep cars clean than individual gig drivers.

Labor, Society, and Alternatives

  • Tension between loving the product and worrying about displacing low‑skill drivers and worsening already poor human‑centric services (call centers, bureaucracy).
  • Debate over whether AVs should complement or replace public transit; some see them as superior taxis, others as a distraction from building good transit.

Coverage, Reliability, and Edge Cases

  • Big practical downside: limited service areas and fleet size; in many cities Uber/Lyft or taxis are still the only option.
  • Some concern about remote operators behind the scenes and about constant in‑cabin surveillance and data retention.