Waymo is collaborating with tech transit startup Via to incorporate its autonomous vehicles into public transit systems, beginning in Chandler, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. Waymo’s robotaxis will be integrated into the city’s Flex microtransit service, allowing users to book rides through the Chandler Flex app. This service aims to provide shared transportation to destinations, linking riders to Valley Metro bus routes. As part of this initiative, users may soon be matched with Waymo’s fully autonomous vehicles when they request rides.
The Flex microtransit service operates Monday through Friday from 6 AM to 9 PM, with costs set at $2 for regular riders, $1 for seniors and wheelchair users, and free rides for middle and high school students, following Waymo’s introduction of teen accounts in Phoenix. This partnership could increase access to Waymo’s driverless technology, as Phoenix residents can already request Waymo rides via the Waymo or Uber apps, typically at prices comparable to traditional ridesharing services.
Chandler Flex utilizes technology from Via, which provides software and operational support for cities and various organizations seeking to merge on-demand ridesharing with public transit. Via’s system allows transit officials to tailor routes based on passenger demand while fulfilling federal and accessibility reporting requirements. Should the pilot in Chandler succeed, Waymo and Via may propose similar models to other cities.
However, some experts express concern that the rise of autonomous vehicles could divert riders from existing transit systems, potentially jeopardizing service availability. Many ridesharing users prefer direct transportation without transfers, while regular public transit users, often from lower-income backgrounds, may struggle to afford rideshare options. Waymo is not alone in exploring this microtransit approach; the Michigan-based startup May Mobility previously partnered with Via to offer similar services in Sun City, Arizona, although that initiative has since ended.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/780156/waymo-via-robotaxi-microtransit-chandler-flex