Your Waymo ride, now arriving in Nashville
Waymo launched its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Nashville on a rolling basis, expanding access to areas including Broadway, 12 South, Midtown, and East Nashville, with plans to serve Nashville International Airport.
Waymo has begun inviting the first public riders into its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Nashville, with access granted through the Waymo app on a rolling basis. The company states this gradual rollout will allow for careful scaling while maintaining service quality. The initial service area covers 60 square miles, encompassing key neighborhoods such as Broadway’s honky tonks, 12 South boutiques, Midtown’s energy, and East Nashville’s food scene. The company also notes ongoing testing at Nashville International Airport, with plans to serve travelers there in the near future.
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee highlighted the state’s embrace of private-sector technologies to address transportation challenges, emphasizing the role of Waymo’s autonomous vehicles in expanding mobility options. AgeWell Middle Tennessee’s Executive Director Grace Sutherland Smith underscored the service’s potential benefits for older adults, including advance booking features that may ease the burden on family caregivers. Waymo cited data showing a 13-fold reduction in severe injury crashes and pedestrian-involved crashes compared to human drivers, based on over 170 million miles of travel.
Waymo will offer rides through its own app and, later this year, via the Lyft app as part of a fleet management partnership with Flexdrive. The company frames the service as an additional transportation choice for Nashville residents and visitors. Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo co-CEO, described Nashville as a city where Waymo’s service can connect music, tourism, and nightlife, supporting local growth with safe and reliable mobility options.
To participate as an early rider, Nashville residents are encouraged to download the Waymo app and monitor the company’s social channels for access codes to expedite entry. The service launch follows supportive statements from local and state leaders, who emphasized the potential for autonomous vehicles to enhance accessibility and economic growth in Tennessee.