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Alphabet Inc.‘s Robotaxi service, Waymo, introduced a subscription tier for users, promising quicker pickup times and early access to service rollouts in new markets.

In a press release published on Thursday, the Robotaxi operator touted the “Waymo Premier” subscription tier, which is an “invite-only membership program” available for a monthly fee of $29.99 to users who frequently take Waymo rides.

The program promises prioritized pickups, as well as other perks like “10% Waymo Cash back on every trip,” with cash back rising during busier hours. The service will initially be “offered to select riders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix,” according to Waymo.

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Waymo said that the program will also enable users to gain early access to Waymo Robotaxis in new service areas as it expands. Subscribers also gain “five free cancellations per month,” the Robotaxi operator said.

The news comes as Waymo recently acquired an Arizona self-driving proving ground, which was formerly owned by Apple Inc. as part of the Cupertino-based company’s autonomous vehicle efforts, which ultimately ended in 2024.

While the Robotaxi operator leads the charge in the U.S.’s self-driving efforts, Waymo recently issued a recall for over 3,791 autonomous vehicles after a software glitch affecting its latest self-driving stack came to light. The issue stems from a glitch that could likely cause the Robotaxis to drive onto flooded roads.

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Waymo operates in select cities in partnership with Uber Technologies Inc.. However, some of the ride-hailing giant's executives painted AV-only operators like Waymo as less scalable and less reliable, touting a hybrid approach with human drivers and AVs instead.

Meanwhile, a Waymo customer was reportedly asked to hail an Uber or a Lyft Inc. cab after the Robotaxi abruptly ended the ride, forcing the customer to walk to his hotel with his wife, who suffered from a disability that hindered her ability to walk.

Photo courtesy: Tada Images on Shutterstock.com

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