Waymo Reintroduces Transit Discounts in Partnership with Visa
Waymo has been actively working to encourage its customers to utilize its robotaxis more frequently for connections to public transit like trains and buses. Today, the company revealed its latest initiative in collaboration with Visa, which offers discounts on robotaxi rides when customers use Waymo to link up with transit services.
This new program is initially available to riders in the San Francisco-Bay Area. When customers pay for a Waymo trip and a public transit ride within a two-hour window using a Visa credit card, they will automatically receive a $2.85 credit on their account, applicable to future Waymo rides.
This initiative builds on a similar program Waymo tested in San Francisco in 2024 and in Los Angeles in 2025. The key difference now is Visa’s involvement, which enables Waymo to confirm when customers are using both its robotaxi service and public transit in close succession.
The program is inspired by the local public transit transfer discount, which leverages SFMTA’s new tap-to-pay Clipper card system to provide discounted fares for passengers using buses, light rail, and subway services.
“Shared mobility is a team effort, and Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service can help people to more easily access public transit networks while enhancing transportation ecosystems,” said Adam Lenz, head of sustainability and environment at Waymo. “We’re excited to partner with local transit agencies and further bridge the transportation gap for commuters, tourists, and everyone in between through Waymo’s new transit rewards program.”
However, some transportation experts express concerns that autonomous vehicles might draw riders away from buses and trains, potentially leading to service reductions. Many ridesharing users prefer not to transfer to different modes of transport, as they simply want to reach their destinations. Additionally, regular transit users, who often come from lower-income backgrounds, may struggle to afford rideshare options. Critics also point out that while autonomous vehicles claim to alleviate traffic congestion, they may inadvertently contribute to it.
In response to these concerns, Waymo highlights that over 50 percent of its customers in major cities also use public transit, suggesting that it can coexist with subways and buses. To further support this, the company has announced the establishment of numerous dedicated robotaxi staging areas at Caltrain stations, aimed at reducing wait times for commuters traveling to and from train stations. Waymo plans to expand both the discount program and the dedicated staging areas to additional cities in the future.
