Alphabet’s (GOOGL.O) subsidiary Waymo announced on Thursday that it will offer its autonomous rides on Via Transportation’s (VIA.N) public transit platform, starting with Chandler, Arizona.
The service will be introduced this fall as part of the city’s on-demand, small-scale public transportation service, Chandler Flex, which is powered by Via’s software.
According to Via, its suite of software and technology-enabled services powers public transportation systems in hundreds of cities across more than 30 countries.
“We’re delighted that this partnership with Waymo paves the path for AVs (autonomous vehicles) to become accessible to millions of global public transit riders, enhancing mobility, lowering operating costs, and improving safety outcomes,” said Daniel Ramot, Via’s co-founder and CEO.
As the robotaxi race heats up, Waymo has been expanding its operations in the U.S. On Wednesday, the company announced its plans to start offering autonomous cab rides in Nashville, Tennessee, next year in collaboration with ride-hailing firm Lyft (LYFT.O).
After starting in Phoenix in 2020, Waymo now offers paid driverless rides to the public in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as in parts of Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta.
EV maker Tesla (TSLA.O) also deployed a limited robotaxi service in Austin in June and has stated its intention to expand the service to the San Francisco Bay Area.
