Waymo plans to launch self-driving taxis in Toronto in 2028

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Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty ImagesFollowing its launch in five major cities in the United States, Waymo LLC announced its plan to bring its driverless ride-hailing service to Canada in 2028.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe company said it will start laying groundwork in the city in the coming days with Waymo vehicles manually driven on the streets of Toronto for high-definition mapping of local street networks and testing with trained autonomous specialists behind the wheel.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Waymo said this validation period will ensure the Waymo Driver adapts seamlessly to Toronto’s distinct driving conditions. Before a Waymo vehicle drives autonomously in a new city, they’re led by human drivers.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againIt will soon begin conducting extensive trials of Waymo’s technology as part of its mapping and safety validation work across select neighbourhoods in Toronto, including the St. Lawrence Market, Harbourfront, Roncesvalles Village, Parkdale, Liberty Village, Don Mills, Yorkdale, Leaside, East York, Summerhill, Yonge & Eglinton, Weston, Mimico and Etobicoke.“Expanding into Canada marks an important milestone in Waymo’s global journey,” Waymo co-chief executive Tekedra Mawakana said in a press release. “We’re proud to bring the Waymo Driver to Canada’s largest city and to partner with the vibrant business, arts and cultural communities that share our commitment to safer streets and more accessible mobility.”Waymo has been approved to take part in the automated vehicle pilot program and has received official provincial permit from Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation to begin manual driving and testing, the company said. It added that the company will continue to work with regulators to ensure it has the proper permits through every phase of its operations.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.We’re bringing the magic of Waymo to Toronto! 🇨🇦 In the coming days, you’ll begin seeing Waymo’s all-electric vehicles driving through Toronto’s streets as we lay the groundwork for our ride-hailing service. Our goal is to begin serving riders in 2028. Sign up for future… pic.twitter.com/FQmGxwV5T9— Waymo (@Waymo) October 16, 2026Waymo is not yet offering commercial rides, but its testing hours typically run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All testing on public roads in Toronto will be conducted as part of Ontario’s Automated Vehicle Pilot Program.It plans to begin with a limited number of its all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles and will scale gradually over time.Waymo will be partnering with Element Fleet Management, a Toronto-based company that will provide end-to-end fleet management services.It said this will create hundreds of roles over time spanning fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service and other operations functions.Waymo has existing ties to Canada, including a long-term investor relationship with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and its manufacturing partner, Magna International Inc.“As a Canadian company, we are proud to be expanding our partnership with Waymo to help bring autonomous ride-hailing to Toronto,” said Element Fleet Management chief executive Laura Dottori-Attanasio.Waymo said its all-weather Driver can provide an additional option that complements Toronto’s transportation ecosystem, bike lanes and public transit.Its own data says the Waymo Driver was involved in 95 per cent fewer or 20 times fewer crashes involving serious injury or worse compared to humans in the cities where it operates.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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