> Removing the driver from a taxi doesn’t bring down costs that much
The average pay for a gig driver $18/hr. So for your typical 15-minute ride, that adds $4.50 to it.
Let's say that 15 minute ride is 10 miles. Average. Uber rates are about $1.50 a mile, so that ride is $15.
Therefore, the driver costs almost a third of the cost of the fare.
Waymo's operational cost per mile, however, should be much lower than a regular driver because they will pay lower bulk rates for energy (already much cheaper because it's mostly off peak electricity instead of gasoline) and maintenance (standardized vehicles with highly controlled driving patterns and pre-negotiated repair contracts).
The average pay for a gig driver $18/hr. So for your typical 15-minute ride, that adds $4.50 to it.
Let's say that 15 minute ride is 10 miles. Average. Uber rates are about $1.50 a mile, so that ride is $15.
Therefore, the driver costs almost a third of the cost of the fare.
Waymo's operational cost per mile, however, should be much lower than a regular driver because they will pay lower bulk rates for energy (already much cheaper because it's mostly off peak electricity instead of gasoline) and maintenance (standardized vehicles with highly controlled driving patterns and pre-negotiated repair contracts).