Residents of San Bruno's Belle Air Park report that Waymo robotaxis have been blocking driveways and mistakenly dropping passengers bound for SFO onto the 500 block of Seventh Avenue for about two weeks beginning in mid-July. Witnesses said confused riders — including a visitor from Switzerland — have sometimes walked roughly three miles to the airport with luggage. City officials have emailed Waymo and police have been called twice; Waymo says it is reviewing the incidents to improve the rider experience.
San Bruno Residents Say Waymo Robotaxis Are Blocking Driveways and Dropping Airport Riders in the Wrong Neighborhood
[Image Credit: NBC Bay Area]
San Bruno's Belle Air Park residents say Waymo's self-driving robotaxis have been clogging neighborhood streets, parking in front of driveways and, in several reported cases, dropping passengers who intended to go to San Francisco International Airport (SFO) into the wrong block.
What residents report
For roughly two weeks beginning in mid-July, neighbors told NBC Bay Area that riders were repeatedly being left on the 500 block of Seventh Avenue — the closest residential street to SFO. Witnesses described travelers, including a visitor from Switzerland, stepping out of the vehicle with luggage and appearing confused about their location. Some frustrated passengers then walked the roughly three-mile distance to the airport.
Residents also say groups of Waymo cars sometimes stall or remain parked for long periods in an area with many senior residents and very limited curb space. One neighbor reported counting 29 robotaxis in the neighborhood on a Sunday, and several residents said cars have blocked driveways, forcing them to call support or, on occasion, 911.
"This afternoon, two houses up, there was a Waymo parked across the driveway," said resident Robert Riechel. "And the young lady in the house, she wanted to get out, and we tried to holler at the machine or whatever and tell 'em 'You're blocking the driveway!'"
City and company responses
Marty Medina, a representative for the city of San Bruno, said he and other local leaders have reached out to Waymo via email about the complaints. San Bruno police have been called to the neighborhood twice to respond to issues tied to the robotaxis.
A Waymo spokesperson said, "We're committed to learning from these moments and making the rider experience as seamless as possible." The company did not immediately provide a timeline for operational changes or fixes.
Impact and next steps
Residents say the incidents have created inconvenience and safety concerns, especially for older residents and those with limited mobility who depend on clear driveways and available parking. City officials and Waymo will likely need to coordinate on route, geofencing, or curb-management adjustments to prevent further misdrops and reduce neighborhood disruption.
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