Waymo, a company owned by Alphabet (the parent company of Google), has introduced a new incentive program in partnership with Visa. The initiative offers customers a $2.85 credit on their account when they use a Visa credit card to pay for both a Waymo robotaxi ride and a public transit trip within two hours of each other. The program is launching first in the San Francisco-Bay Area, aiming to encourage the use of autonomous vehicles alongside public transportation. Under this program, when a rider uses a Visa card to pay for a Waymo ride and then takes public transit — such as a bus or train — within two hours, the $2.85 credit is automatically added to their account. This credit can be used for future Waymo trips. The idea is similar to a test program Waymo ran in San Francisco in 2024 and in Los Angeles in 2025, but this version includes Visa, which helps verify that the customer is using both services in close succession. The program draws inspiration from existing public transit transfer discounts in the region. For instance, San Francisco’s SFMTA uses the Clipper card system, which allows for discounted fares when riders switch between different transit modes, like buses, light rail, or subways. Adam Lenz, head of sustainability and environment at Waymo, explained that the company sees shared mobility as a collaborative effort. He emphasized that Waymo’s autonomous ride-hailing service can help people better access public transit while improving the overall transportation system. In addition to the credit program, Waymo has announced the creation of dedicated robotaxi staging areas at Caltrain stations. These spaces are intended to reduce wait times for commuters traveling to and from train stations. The company plans to expand both the discount program and the staging areas to more cities in the future. However, some transportation experts express concerns that autonomous vehicles might divert riders from public transit, potentially leading to reduced service or funding for buses and trains. Critics also note that while autonomous vehicles are often presented as solutions to traffic congestion, they can also contribute to it by increasing the number of vehicles on the road. Waymo acknowledges these concerns and cites survey data showing that over 50% of its customers in major cities also use public transit. The company argues this demonstrates that autonomous ride-hailing can coexist with and support existing transit systems.