by Waymo Expands Its Network of Autonomous Taxis
Waymo, a company owned by Alphabet, plans to launch a paid autonomous ride service in Dallas in 2026. The project partner will be Avis Budget Group, which will be responsible for managing the fleet and maintaining the vehicles. This step takes place against the backdrop of the ambitious Dallas City program, which aims to completely eliminate road fatalities by 2030.
Waymo already provides over 250,000 paid rides weekly in Austin and other major US cities. In Dallas, the company plans to offer residents and visitors an innovative transportation option.
“We look forward to being able to offer our service to the residents of Dallas, ushering in a new era of safe transportation,” said Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana.
Development Prospects
Although the exact boundaries of the service area in Dallas have not yet been disclosed, Waymo is confident that its technologies will help the city achieve the goals of the Vision Zero program. Local authorities have also welcomed this initiative.
“A fully autonomous taxi service is an innovative transportation option for our residents,” added Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert.
Dallas will be just the next stage of Waymo’s expansion. The company is already exploring launch opportunities in Houston, San Antonio, as well as in San Diego, Boston, and New York. International plans include Tokyo as the first market outside the US. This indicates Waymo’s serious intentions to become a global player in the autonomous transportation market.
The partnership with Avis allows Waymo to focus on improving technologies, transferring logistical and operational issues to an experienced partner. This approach could be the key to successful scaling in new cities, where infrastructure and regulatory requirements can differ significantly.
