Car-free corridor on SF's Market Street opening to Waymo, premium rideshares next week

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Some big changes are coming to San Francisco's Market Street.

Starting next week, Waymo and premium rideshare cars will be rolling down Market Street during off-peak hours.

The corridor has been car-free since 2019. Buses, taxis and emergency vehicles were the only vehicles allowed along Market Street in San Francisco.

For nearly six years, 10 blocks of Market Street between 10th Street and the Embarcadero have been car-free.

Jacko Balli and his son appreciate that.

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"It's actually pretty cool," Balli said.

But starting Tuesday, you'll start seeing Waymos and Uber Blacks and Lyft Blacks.

Mayor Daniel Lurie gave the green light for more vehicles back in April.

He said it's about "efforts to revitalize San Francisco's iconic corridor and downtown."

Private cars remain banned from the stretch of Market Street crossing downtown.

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SFMTA is going to allow WAYMO, Uber Black and Lyft Black to stop at seven designated spots along Market Street. Cars will be allowed to stop during designated hours at Mason, Sixth, Taylor, Jones, Seventh and Eighth Streets.

At Café Doci, business is picking up. But My Huynh says it could be a lot better, and says opening Market Street to more vehicles could do that.

"I think it's a good thing. They can recognize my business more. They can get dropped off here," Huynh said.

But some worry adding cars will create congestion, slow Muni, and even lead to more accidents.

"We're essentially talking about the end of car-free Market Street," said Claire Amable of SF Bicycle Coalition. "Five of our most dangerous intersections were on this corridor."

"Crashes on Market Street have reduced by 40% since this part was made car-free, so the mayor with this announcement is jeopardizing all of those improvements," said Luke Bornheimer with Streets Forward. "Once you open this street to some private cars, what's stopping anyone from driving? As we've been standing here and talking, we've seen at least 10 cars."

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Mid-Market Business Association and Foundation applauds the mayor for the move to reopen Market Street to limited vehicles.

In a statement, it said: "His willingness to experiment with bold solutions, prioritize bringing more people to Market Street to support our businesses, artist, and cultural venues."

Officials say the pilot program will assess safety, transpiration efficiency and demand.

Jacko Ballis says he's open to change.

"If it's just Waymo's and taxis, it's cool, as long as it's not general traffic, I think I can compromise," Ballis said. "There's enough space for everyone."