Mass power outages affect 130,000 in San Francisco and disrupt traffic

Key Highlights

• Photos and videos shared by users on X showed Waymo robotaxis frozen in place, backing up traffic and creating hazardous conditions for other drivers. Waymo confirmed on Saturday evening that it had shut down its driverless ride-hailing service throughout San Francisco after footage circulated online showing its vehicles blocking roads during the blackout.“We have temporarily suspended our ride-hailing services in the San Francisco Bay Area due to the widespread power outage,” Waymo spokesperson Suzanne Philion said in a statement to several news outlets.
• “Our teams are working diligently and in close coordination with city officials, and we are hopeful to bring our services back online soon.”People observe an area affected by a blackout that hit about 130,000 residents, according to the Pacific Gas and Electric Company, in San Francisco, California.
• arlos Barría/ReutersRolling blackouts affected roughly 130 homes and businesses throughout the day, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Company.
• By Saturday evening, about 30% of PG&E customers in San Francisco were without power. Mayor Daniel Lurie addressed residents in a video posted to social media, urging them to “please stay off the roads and stay inside” because traffic lights were not functioning.
• He said police officers were being dispatched to major intersections and high-traffic corridors. With signals dark across the city, Waymo vehicles appeared confused and came to a standstill.