Waymo announced a transit rewards program designed to incentivize multimodal trips combining autonomous rides with public transit in the San Francisco Bay Area, with plans to expand to other cities.
Under the program, riders who link their Visa card in the Waymo app and take both a Waymo ride and public transit within two hours of each other will receive $2.85 in Waymo Cash—equivalent to San Francisco’s bus fare. The program initially launches with employee access before rolling out to the general public in the coming weeks.
The initiative applies across all 27 San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies that accept contactless Visa tap-to-pay. It complements existing regional transfer discount programs and tap-to-pay models that launched in the region last December. According to Waymo, over 50% of its riders in mature service areas (San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix) use public transit, motivating the company’s investment in connectivity.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin stated that the program aligns with Governor Newsom’s challenge to build a transportation system that makes trips to transit stations as seamless as transit rides themselves. San José Mayor Matt Mahan characterized the partnership as using technology to strengthen rather than replace public transit.
Waymo is also announcing a partnership with Caltrain, which accepts tap-to-pay. The company will lease 40 dedicated parking spaces at Caltrain stations to stage vehicles for transit riders, a model Waymo plans to replicate with additional transit agencies.
This launch builds on earlier transit integration efforts, including credit pilot programs in San Francisco and Los Angeles and participation in LA Metro’s Mobility Wallet program. Waymo is also pursuing a strategic microtransit partnership with Via in Chandler, Arizona.
Adam Lenz, Head of Sustainability & Environment at Waymo, framed the transit rewards program as part of the company’s effort to expand clean transportation options. Waymo stated its goal is to expand the program and partnerships with transit agencies to additional cities over time.
Key facts
- Waymo riders receive $2.85 in Waymo Cash when they use Visa to take a Waymo ride and public transit within 2 hours of each other in the SF Bay Area
- The program covers all 27 San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies accepting contactless Visa tap-to-pay
- Over 50% of Waymo riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix use public transit
- Waymo will lease 40 dedicated parking spaces at Caltrain stations for staged vehicles to serve transit riders
- The program launches with employee access before expanding to the public in coming weeks