Waymo considering monthly robotaxi membership in SF

Waymo is considering joining the likes of its on-demand ridehailing counterparts with a monthly membership program of its own, Gazetteer SF has learned.

The membership program, tentatively called Waymo GoPass, would offer various perks and benefits to riders for a monthly fee, according to a survey Waymo sent out to riders in San Francisco on Friday. (Waymo also seems to have sent the survey out to Los Angeles-based riders.) It’s unclear, however, if Waymo will move forward with this program, as the survey stated that it’s an idea that the company “may or may not actually decide to bring to life.”

The company is considering benefits like future ride credits, priority pickups, Waymos waiting longer, free cancellations, and the ability to watch YouTube during rides. The proposed monthly subscription prices, which mix and match a variety of perks, range from $9.99 per month to $49.99 per month. 

Waymo appears to have been testing variations of the program at least since 2023. At the time, it was called Priority Pass, according to a Reddit post from a San Francisco-based Waymo customer who received an email announcing the program. 

The AV company wouldn’t be the first ridehailing company to launch a transportation membership program. Uber One, which costs $9.99 per month, offers perks like Uber credit for rides, no delivery fees for food orders. Lyft Pink also costs $9.99 per month and gives members priority pickups at no extra cost and a free year of GrubHub.

Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli told Gazetteer Waymo "regularly conducts research and experiments to discover what features, promotions and experiences our riders may enjoy most," he said via email. He added that Waymo began piloting the GoPass program to riders in Phoenix last year and is looking to "share the program more broadly in the future."