Waymo Partners with Via to Bring Autonomous Vehicles to Phoenix Public Transit

Waymo is collaborating with the tech transit startup Via to incorporate autonomous vehicles into city public transit networks, starting in the growing suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. In Chandler, Arizona, Waymo’s robotaxis will soon become part of the Chandler Flex microtransit service.

The Chandler Flex app allows users to book shared rides that connect to Valley Metro bus routes, with upcoming integration of fully autonomous Waymo vehicles. The service operates from Monday to Friday, between 6AM and 9PM, offering affordable fares — $2 for regular riders, $1 for seniors and wheelchair users, and free for middle and high school students. Recently, Waymo introduced teen accounts in Phoenix, enabling kids as young as 14 to ride independently.

This partnership aims to expand access to Waymo’s driverless technology. Residents of Phoenix have been able to hail Waymo rides via the Waymo or Uber apps for years, with pricing comparable to traditional rideshare services. The low-cost, flat-fare, route-specific autonomous rides could bring this technology to a wider demographic, making it more accessible.

The Chandler Flex service utilizes Via’s innovative technology to tailor on-demand shared rides based on passenger demand. Via’s software helps transit officials create flexible routes while maintaining compliance with federal and accessibility reporting requirements. If successful, Waymo and Via plan to offer similar microtransit solutions in other cities.

This isn’t Waymo’s first venture into public transit. In the past year, it tested credit systems for riders transferring between robotaxis and transit stations in the San Francisco Bay Area and provided discounts to transit users in Los Angeles. However, some transport experts voice concerns that autonomous vehicles might reduce ridership for traditional transit, especially since many riders prefer direct, transfer-free journeys and lower-income commuters often find ridesharing unaffordable.

The microtransit model offers a promising way to mitigate these challenges by integrating autonomous vehicles into existing transit frameworks. Other companies, like Michigan-based May Mobility, have experimented with similar concepts, partnering with Via to serve communities such as Sun City, Arizona. Though the free trial offer has concluded, such initiatives exemplify ongoing efforts to blend autonomous technology with public transportation.

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