Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit, and transit technology provider Via announced a partnership to integrate fully autonomous ride-hailing services into public transportation, beginning this fall in Chandler, Arizona.
The collaboration will allow government agencies that use Via’s software to incorporate Waymo vehicles into existing networks. In Chandler, the integration will be deployed within the city’s Chandler Flex microtransit service, which has provided nearly 120,000 rides to date. Via’s scheduling algorithms will match riders with autonomous vehicles, creating dynamic and efficient routes.
Waymo said its vehicles, which operate in five U.S. cities and deliver hundreds of thousands of paid trips weekly, have demonstrated an 88% reduction in injury-causing crashes compared with human drivers. Via, whose platform powers transit systems in more than 30 countries, said the partnership aims to expand access to safer, more cost-efficient and sustainable public mobility.
Chandler officials said the city’s role as an early adopter underscores its status as a hub for transportation innovation, with the pilot project designed to expand rider choice while advancing autonomous integration into public systems.
