Summary
Waymo says it will begin preparing its autonomous ride-hailing service in Toronto, starting with manually driven vehicles and local road mapping. The company’s goal is to welcome its first riders in 2028.
Waymo announced on October 16, 2026, that it is preparing to launch an autonomous ride-hailing service in Toronto, with the goal of welcoming its first riders in 2028. The company says its vehicles will begin appearing on city streets in the coming days, initially driven manually as it maps local roads and validates the system for Toronto conditions.
A phased start on Toronto roads
Waymo says its initial work will include high-definition mapping of local street networks, followed by testing with trained autonomous specialists behind the wheel. The company describes this as a phased, safety-first validation period intended to help the Waymo Driver adapt to the city’s driving conditions. The announcement describes manually driven vehicles and specialist-led testing—not a driverless passenger service beginning now.
For an autonomous driving system, detailed local maps and on-road testing are part of preparing it to operate in a particular environment. Toronto’s road network and driving conditions will therefore be the focus of this preparation before the company’s targeted rider launch.
Fleet operations, safety and accessibility
Waymo is partnering with Toronto-headquartered Element Fleet Management, which will provide fleet-management services. The companies plan to invest in hundreds of roles over time, including fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service and other operational work. Waymo also cited its existing Canadian connections with long-term investor Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and manufacturing partner Magna International.
The company says its data from more than 400 million kilometres of fully autonomous driving show the Waymo Driver was involved in 95% fewer crashes involving serious injury or worse than human drivers in the cities where it operates. That is a company-reported comparison across its operating cities, rather than a result from Toronto, where the announced validation work is only beginning.
Waymo says its all-weather system could add an option alongside Toronto’s existing transport network, including public transit and cycling infrastructure. It also says it is working with accessibility and mobility organisations, including BALANCE for Blind Adults, CNIB, Community Living Toronto, Connected Canadians and Epilepsy Ontario.