Waymo has launched its autonomous ride-share service across a growing stretch of Miami-Dade County. The service also just expanded to Miami Beach, Surfside and Bal Harbour, bringing coverage to 100 square miles — but rides in a driverless car come with longer waits and higher prices than Uber or Lyft.
FULL STORY: Where will Waymo take you in Miami? How do you get a ride? What to know
A Waymo self-driving car stops at the intersection of Seventh Street and South Miami Avenue in Brickell. Pedro Portal pportal@miamiherald.com
Here are key takeaways:
• Waymo still uses a waitlist. You can sign up through the Waymo app, and spokesperson Sandy Karp said the company plans to open the service to everyone later this year.
• The service area stretches from Bal Harbour south to Dadeland, west to the Palmetto Expressway and north to Northwest 46th Street on the mainland. Rides to and from Miami International Airport are not available.
• Expect longer trips. When Miami Herald reporters tested the service, a ride from near the airport area to Brickell City Centre took 26 minutes of waiting plus 56 minutes of driving — compared to a two- to three-minute wait and 20-minute drive with Uber. The Waymo cost $30.88, about $10 more than an Uber.
• Waymos don’t drive on highways yet. The cars stick to city streets, though the company has begun highway testing. They will cross the MacArthur and Venetian causeways to reach Miami Beach but are not currently using the Julia Tuttle Causeway.
• The cars seat four — three in back and one in the front passenger seat. The driver’s seat stays empty. Riders get temperature control, adjustable legroom and Spotify access. There’s no tipping.
• The reporters’ ride hit some glitches: The car froze for about three minutes while trying to merge into a turn lane, and it dropped them off in traffic rather than a designated zone. A Waymo was also spotted stalled on the Venetian Causeway earlier this year.
This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.