Robotaxis as public transit? Waymo thinks so

Here is a 180-word summary of the news article: Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving car division, is partnering with tech transit startup Via to integrate its autonomous vehicles into public transit networks, starting in Chandler, Arizona. Waymo's robotaxis will soon join Chandler's Flex microtransit service, allowing users to book rides through the Chandler Flex app and be picked up by a shared, fully autonomous vehicle. The service will operate on weekdays from 6am to 9pm, with rides costing just $2 for regular riders, $1 for seniors and wheelchair users, and free for middle and high school students. The partnership aims to open up Waymo's driverless technology to a broader segment of the population. Previously, Phoenix residents could only hail Waymo rides through the Waymo or Uber apps, with fares comparable to human-driven rideshare trips. The microtransit model provides a more affordable option, potentially circumventing concerns that autonomous vehicles could siphon riders from traditional public transit. If successful, Waymo and Via plan to pitch a similar model to other cities for their microtransit needs.