Mere months after deploying its driverless taxis on Austin streets, GM-backed company Cruise has suspended its operations in all its markets. The San Francisco company announced the decision on social media Thursday, a few days after the California Department of Motor Vehicles suspended its testing and deployment permits in that state.
Problems with Cruise's taxis — including instances of unexpected stopping in driving lanes, interfering with emergency responders, and involvement in collisions including a hit-and-run — have been documented on social media as well as by the California DMV.
Cruise has offered taxi-style rides in driverless vehicles in Austin from 8:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. for a several months and recently began offering service to its employee from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. It was also expanding its service area in the city.
Cruise didn't indicate when it plans to resume its services in any of the cities where it operates, which include Phoenix and Houston. "The most important thing for us right now is to take steps to rebuild public trust," it stated.
