Autonomous vehicle provider Waymo has launched a new service that allows travelers to take autonomous rides between the airport and downtown.
Waymo is offering Trusted Tester participants the ability to try the ride with an autonomous specialist in the vehicle. Trusted Testers will be able to catch a ride 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Waymo’s fully electric Jaguar I-PACE equipped with the fifth generation Waymo Driver. Current trips are offered with an autonomous specialist in the driver’s seat. In the future, the specialist will be removed from the vehicle and the ability to hail rides will begin to open to the general public.
Pickups and drop-offs occur at the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station where travelers can hop on the free PHX Sky Train direct to the terminals.
“Phoenix leads the nation in demonstrating autonomous vehicle technology, science, and safety,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “The future of travel is here, and Waymo One service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport marks our city’s commitment to innovation and technological advancements that will impact the world.”
This new service comes two years after Waymo opened its fully autonomous commercial ride hail service, Waymo One, to the public in the East Valley of Phoenix; and builds on the company’s partnership with the City of Phoenix, which includes providing rides to Trusted Testers in Downtown Phoenix since May.
