San Francisco has partially lifted its five-year ban on private automobiles along the central stretch of Market Street, allowing Waymo driverless taxis and premium rideshare services such as Uber Black and Lyft Black to operate during limited hours. The pilot, which began Tuesday, authorises Waymo vehicles between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and again from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., while the human-driven rideshares may use the corridor only in the evening window. Seven new curb areas have been designated for pick-ups and drop-offs. Mayor Daniel Lurie, who approved Waymo access in April and expanded the programme last week to include the luxury rideshare tiers, said the move is intended to improve accessibility and help revive the struggling downtown economy. Market Street has been closed to most private traffic since January 2020, a policy city data show cut roadway crashes and injuries by 40% and sped up Muni bus service by 14%. Traffic-safety groups Streets Forward and Walk SF warn that reintroducing cars, even in a controlled trial, could erode those gains and create new hazards for pedestrians and cyclists. City officials describe the change as an evaluation period that will study safety, efficiency and rider demand before any decision on a broader reopening is made.