Waymo is thinking about parting ways with Uber

Waymo is considering ending its partnership with Uber — the two companies are still under contract until May 2028, but the clock is ticking. The deal already ended in Phoenix, so this isn't the first split. If Waymo walks from the rest of Uber, it's a signal that the robotaxi company wants to go its own way.

This is the kind of quiet reshuffle that doesn't show up on the front page but changes how people get around. Uber has been one of Waymo's biggest distribution partners, putting Waymo cars in front of millions of riders. If the deal ends, Uber riders may see more options from rival fleets — or less Waymo service, depending on what Uber puts in the gap. Waymo's move makes sense: the company is building its own network and its own riders. It doesn't need Uber as badly as it used to.

Why this matters for us: la gente in our barrios — the abuelas, the shift workers, the primos who don't drive — rely on cheap, reliable rides. If Waymo and Uber part, the price and availability of those rides could change. We need to watch who picks up the slack.