EVwire brief: Waymo has started serving Nashville International Airport (BNA), with the company becoming the first fully autonomous ride-hailing service to offer airport rides in Tennessee.
Waymo is opening BNA access to a limited number of riders first. The company plans to gradually welcome all riders, similar to its approach at other airports. Pickups and drop-offs will take place at the airport's Terminal Garage 2.
Doug Kreulen, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority, said Waymo gives BNA travelers another way to get to and from the airport:
"BNA takes great pride in introducing innovative ways to enhance the passenger journey, and welcoming Waymo provides travelers with another convenient transportation option to and from the airport. As Nashville continues to grow, we want to embrace new technologies that give our passengers greater choice, flexibility and ease when traveling through BNA."
Waymo announced the BNA expansion on X:
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BNA is now the fifth airport served by Waymo, following Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, San José Mineta International Airport, San Francisco International Airport and San Antonio International Airport.
Arica Gately, Waymo's head of airport business development and partnerships, highlighted the door-to-door experience the service now offers air travelers:
"Serving rides to and from Nashville International Airport provides a convenient and reliable new way to catch your next flight. With our growing number of airports and cities served, Waymo can now offer a door-to-door experience for your next air travels."
Waymo currently serves riders across a 50-square-mile service area in Nashville, according to the company's release.
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Context:
Nashville has quickly become one of Waymo's busiest new markets. Waymo started serving public riders in the city on an invite-only basis in April, then opened the service to all riders in June. In September, Nashville became the first city where Lyft riders can be matched with Waymo robotaxis, with both apps drawing from a single shared fleet.
To support that fleet, Lyft's fleet management subsidiary Flexdrive opened an 80,000-square-foot depot in Nashville built to charge, clean and maintain hundreds of autonomous vehicles, with Waymo robotaxis set to start moving in on October 12. The facility is expected to bring more than 70 full-time jobs this year, and Waymo and Lyft are exploring additional depot locations in the city as rider demand grows.
Source: Waymo Help Center, Waymo on X, WKRN, WSMV
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