Waymo is getting into the corporate travel business

Waymo is expanding its reach into the corporate sector with the introduction of 'Waymo for Business,' a service aimed at simplifying travel for employees in metropolitan areas. Announced in a recent blog post, the Alphabet-owned self-driving vehicle company is inviting organizations to create accounts, allowing their staff to utilize robotaxi services in cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. This innovative service allows businesses to subsidize rides for their employees or purchase promotional codes in bulk, which can be distributed to clients, customers, or workers. Notably, the cost of rides through Waymo for Business will remain aligned with its standard rates. Among the first to adopt this service is Carvana, a Phoenix-based online marketplace for used cars. While many riders already use Waymo's robotaxis for daily commutes, this marks the company's first concerted effort to engage directly with corporate clients. Waymo has reported that nearly 17% of its riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix utilize its services to travel to work or educational institutions. Employees affiliated with companies enrolled in Waymo for Business will continue to use the Waymo One app—or, in certain cities, the Uber app—to request rides, ensuring a familiar experience. The key differentiator lies in the added control companies will have over their travel programs. Through a dedicated business portal, organizations can manage their ride services by specifying geographic areas, designating pick-up and drop-off locations, and overseeing ride activity and expenditures. Looking ahead, Waymo intends to extend its corporate travel service to additional cities, including Washington, D.C. and Miami, following successful launches in those markets. Over the past year and a half, Waymo has significantly increased its operational scale, establishing itself as the leading robotaxi provider in the United States. The company has broadened its service footprint from Phoenix to various metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Austin, and Atlanta, with more expansions planned for 2026. In addition to geographic growth, Waymo is exploring other avenues to attract new customers. Recent developments include access to major airports such as Phoenix Sky Harbor, San Jose Mineta International Airport, and soon, San Francisco International Airport. This positions Waymo as a direct competitor to ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft. Furthermore, the company has partnered with transit service provider Via, and has even opened its robotaxi services to teenagers accompanied by a parent’s account.