What's the difference from a (better maintained) taxi service? Especially one that in this hypothetical future, would be driverless.
In general I think the trend of personal car ownership is something that will become somewhat of a hobby rather than a daily necessity, even outside of cities as long as Waymo (and others) are able to actually achieve their ambitious goals. The only way I see that reversing is if people are forced to live out of their cars due to absurd home costs, which is a very very bleak future.
Because you don’t have your personal belongings in the taxi, you have to take them in and out. A personal car is a little room, like a little part of your home, that you bring with you when you travel. With kids especially (diapers, wipes, books, toys, car seats, snacks, a place to change diapers or change clothes or breastfed in privacy or nap, etc… protected from the elements and climate controlled), this is really helpful.
In general I think the trend of personal car ownership is something that will become somewhat of a hobby rather than a daily necessity, even outside of cities as long as Waymo (and others) are able to actually achieve their ambitious goals. The only way I see that reversing is if people are forced to live out of their cars due to absurd home costs, which is a very very bleak future.