DRIVERLESS VEHICLES WILL SOON be a more common sight in the West Valley as autonomous ride-sharing company Waymo expands into the region — leaving local officials grappling with concerns about safety and transit impacts. Waymo will begin operating in West Valley cities such as Cupertino and Campbell in the coming weeks, as well as Willow Glen and Vista Park in San Jose. A spokesperson said the latest expansion covers approximately 60 square miles, bringing Waymo’s total Bay Area service area to more than 330 square miles. The company recently expanded its service area into the South Bay, including at San Jose Mineta International Airport. “As San Jose and other cities prepare to host global events like the FIFA World Cup, the expanded footprint will also help both residents and visitors move around the city safely and efficiently,” spokesperson Sandy Karp told San José Spotlight. Campbell Mayor Dan Furtado said the city manager is setting up a meeting with a Waymo representative for a later date. “All I know is Waymo is planning to come, I only know what I’ve read in the news,” Furtado told San José Spotlight. State regulators, not cities, oversee autonomous vehicle approvals in California, which means local governments have little authority over whether Waymo operates on their streets. Elected leaders in the West Valley said they see potential benefits in the technology, including safer driving behavior and improved transportation access. But they have also raised questions about accountability, public transit competition and how residents will respond as driverless cars enter smaller cities. After meeting with a Waymo representative, Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore said he was surprised to learn local municipalities have no authority over autonomous vehicle operations. The California Department of Motor Vehicles and California Public Utilities Commission handle all approvals. Moore said Waymo previously