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Valley Metro, Waymo Launch Partnership
At an event July 31 at the Valley Metro Rail Operations and Maintenance Center in Phoenix, Valley Metro joined self-driving vehicle provider Waymo to introduce a partnership that is expected to help drive the future of transportation. Valley Metro Chief Executive Officer Scott Smith said, “This is the first partnership between a public transit system and a private autonomous vehicle company that will provide a mobility service outside of a controlled environment. Think of it as the start of mobility on demand or mobility as a service.”
Valley Metro will begin using the self-driving vehicle technology next month for first- and last-mile transit trips.
At the launch event, where the partners displayed two Waymo vehicles on either side of a Valley Metro Rail light rail vehicle, Phoenix Mayor and Valley Metro Rail Chair Thelda Williams said, “Technology is fueling a transportation revolution. Valley Metro and Waymo are joining forces to pilot autonomous vehicle trips to better understand the purpose of real-life trips and connectivity. AV [autonomous vehicle] technology, combined with public transit’s expertise, will help bolster and reinvent transportation.”
Shaun Stewart, Waymo’s chief business development officer, said, “Waymo is honored to be involved in the exploration of new transportation solutions with Valley Metro. We’re excited to learn how self-driving vehicles may connect people to public transit and help fill some mobility gaps across the greater Phoenix area.”
APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas said of the partnership, “This is a tremendous leap forward as the public transit industry transforms as the integrator and the backbone of a multimodal system. Congratulations to Valley Metro and Waymo for providing the leadership and a practical test pilot example of how to integrate this technology, which may someday be replicated by many transit agencies across the country.”
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| Shaun Stewart, Waymo chief business development officer, and Scott Smith, Valley Metro CEO, shake hands over forging a new partnership that will help drive the future of transportation. |
Valley Metro RPTA and Valley Metro Rail board members unanimously approve the technology partnership between the agency and Waymo. From left: Mesa Mayor John Giles, Tempe Vice Mayor Robin Arredondo-Savage, Gilbert Councilmember Brigette Peterson, Glendale Vice Mayor and Valley Metro RPTA Chair Lauren Tolmachoff, Chandler Councilmember Kevin Hartke, Phoenix Mayor and Valley Metro Rail Chair Thelda Williams, Scottsdale Councilwoman Suzanne Klapp and Valley Metro CEO Scott Smith. |
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