Waymo Expands Driverless Rides Across South Bay
The expansion adds South Bay destinations, including Berryessa Transit Center and the Great Mall, and a transit rewards program.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
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Waymo expanded its driverless ride-hailing service to more South Bay destinations on Nov. 3. The service now covers the Berryessa Transit Center in East San Jose, the Great Mall, the San Jose Fairgrounds, and additional neighborhoods in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno.
Why it matters
The expansion widens access to autonomous ride-hailing for riders across San Jose and the South Bay. Waymo said the move is part of its effort to serve more riders across the Bay Area.
Waymo's Bay Area service area now totals 350 square miles, and its rewards program credits riders $2.85 when a Waymo ride and public transit trip occur within two hours of each other. The extraction does not provide the prior service area for comparison.
The players
Waymo
Waymo is an autonomous driving company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, that operates driverless ride-hailing services in several U.S. metropolitan areas.
Valley Transportation Authority
The Valley Transportation Authority is the public transit agency serving Santa Clara County, including San Jose.
The details
Waymo's rewards program credits riders who take a Waymo ride and use public transportation within two hours of each other. The expansion extends Waymo's ride-hailing coverage to additional South Bay destinations and neighborhoods, and Valley Transportation Authority officials said they have no plans to coordinate with the company.
Timeline
Nov. 3, 2026: Waymo expands driverless service to additional South Bay destinations and neighborhoods.
Roadmap
Waymo's expansion extends its driverless ride-hailing service, which now covers 350 square miles of the Bay Area, further into the South Bay. The move adds transit-linked incentives as autonomous vehicles compete for a larger share of local urban mobility.
Riders in San Jose and the South Bay can now book Waymo rides to the Berryessa Transit Center, the Great Mall, and the San Jose Fairgrounds. Those who combine a Waymo ride with public transit within two hours may receive $2.85 in rewards credits.
The takeaway
For South Bay commuters, the expansion means driverless rides can now connect to transit hubs like Berryessa, and the rewards program offers a financial incentive to combine the two. Riders should check whether their destination is within the updated service area before planning trips.
Further reading
For more on autonomous vehicle developments, see Electric Vehicles coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KALW.
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