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Embarking on a new era of seamless travel, Waymo One is redefining the airport commute experience for select riders in Phoenix. Picture this: you can now summon or bid farewell to Waymo's robotaxis right at the curbside of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This transformative move, launched in November 2022, makes Waymo the pioneer in the U.S. to offer a paid robotaxi service connecting travelers to and from the airport. But there's a twist – it's not your ordinary terminal shuttle stop; it's the hustle and bustle of the main terminal curbs, adding an extra layer of excitement to autonomous travel.
Venturing into uncharted territory, Waymo is navigating the terminal curbs with caution, starting with limited hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and exclusively servicing Terminals 3 and 4. It's a deliberate approach, allowing Waymo to deploy and learn in a controlled manner, ensuring a safe and seamless experience for riders. The company, having completed "tens of thousands of airport trips," reports an impressive average trip rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, showcasing the reliability of its autonomous service.
Waymo's airport service, fully autonomous with no human safety operator behind the wheel, is initially reserved for a select group of active riders in Phoenix. This isn't just about trusted testers; it's a leap into a new phase of autonomy. Chris Bonelli, Product Communications Manager at Waymo, emphasizes that the company is moving beyond nondisclosure agreements, signaling a broader accessibility to this groundbreaking service.
As Waymo One pioneers curbside pickups at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, the future of autonomous travel takes center stage. This isn't just a convenience upgrade; it's a testament to Waymo's commitment to refining the autonomous experience. With plans to extend this service to all riders and operate 24/7 in the coming months, Waymo is setting the stage for a new era of hassle-free airport transit. Sky Harbor Airport's Aviation Director, Chad Makovsky, sums it up: "We’re excited to take the next step and safely expand this innovative service to our terminal curbs." Waymo's journey continues, promising a future where curbside robotaxis are the norm, not the exception.
