Waymo, the self-driving taxi company, has launched an innovative pilot program in the San Francisco Bay Area aimed at encouraging public transit use. Starting immediately, riders who utilize the Waymo One ride-hailing service to connect with designated transit stations will receive a $3 credit for future rides in Waymo’s robotaxis.
Participants in the program will receive credits when they hail one of Waymo’s cabs to or from eight specified stations. The selected stations include four BART locations—Glen Park, Balboa Park, Daly City, and Colma—as well as two MUNI stations, West Portal and Third Street & Revere. The final two are Caltrain stations, 22nd Street and Fourth and King.
According to a recent survey conducted by Waymo, 36% of its riders reported using the company’s electric Jaguar I-Pace SUVs to connect with BART, Muni, or Caltrain services. While this pilot program is the first of its kind in the United States, it is relatively limited in scope due to the small number of participating stations.
Hey San Francisco! Love sustainable transit? Us too. We're giving a $3 credit for Waymo rides you take to or from select transit stations from October 17 – November 15, 2024. Learn more: https://t.co/oIjiJkSNkg pic.twitter.com/EAqd2dhnLZ
— Waymo (@Waymo) October 17, 2024
The pilot will run for a short period, allowing riders to accumulate one $3 credit per day until November 15, with credits required to be redeemed by the end of December. Despite the brief timeframe, Waymo is leveraging this initiative to enhance its environmental reputation.
“Connecting people with sustainable transportation is at the heart of Waymo’s mission to build the world’s most trusted driver,” said Adam Lenz, Waymo’s head of sustainability and environment. “By offering electric rides on demand and improving access to public transit, Waymo One is making daily travel more sustainable and convenient. Our riders consistently tell us they value sustainability, and we’re proud to offer it as a core benefit to the communities we serve.”
While BART, Caltrain, and MUNI are aware of the pilot, they are not directly involved. However, local media reports indicate that public transit operators are supportive of the initiative.
Currently, Waymo is providing more than 100,000 driverless rides per week to the public across San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, contributing to a reduction of an estimated 135 tons of carbon dioxide emissions weekly. Earlier this month, Waymo announced a partnership with Hyundai to add the South Korean automaker’s IONIQ 5 EV to its fleet, set to debut in 2026.
