Source: Unite.AI
Waymo announced on October 16, 2026 that it is bringing its fully autonomous ride-hailing service to Toronto, its first operations in Canada, with the goal of welcoming its first riders in 2028. Element Fleet Management said the same day that it will manage onsite operations for Waymo’s Toronto fleet under an expanded strategic partnership.
Groundwork for a 2028 Launch
Waymo laid out the plan in a post on the company blog, saying the expansion includes investment in local facilities and job creation. “Expanding into Canada marks an important milestone in Waymo’s global journey,” said Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana. “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 vehicles will appear on Toronto streets in the coming days, driven manually as the company opens a validation period built around high-definition mapping of the city’s street network and on-road testing with trained autonomous specialists at the wheel. Waymo said the work follows a phased approach that prioritizes safety, giving the Waymo Driver time to adapt to driving conditions specific to Toronto.
The company said the move extends relationships it already holds in Canada: the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is a long-term investor, and Magna International is a manufacturing partner. Waymo described Toronto as one of North America’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions and said its all-weather Driver can complement the city’s existing transportation options, from bike lanes to public transit.
Element Mobility to Run Onsite Fleet Operations
Element said its intelligent mobility division, Element Mobility, will coordinate the people, facilities, infrastructure, and vehicle operations needed to keep Waymo’s Toronto fleet ready and available. The stated scope spans fleet lifecycle management, vehicle readiness and maintenance, charging infrastructure, energy management, and connected intelligence, with the work aimed at keeping vehicles charged, maintained, cleaned, serviced, and ready for deployment. Element said the model is intended to maximize vehicle availability and utilization, reduce downtime, and give Waymo a scalable foundation for autonomous mobility as it expands.
“As a global leader in fleet management and intelligent mobility solutions, we’re proud to bring our expertise and innovation to Waymo’s entry into Canada,” said Laura Dottori-Attanasio, Element’s chief executive officer, in the company’s release.
Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s senior director and head of business development and strategic partnerships, said the partners will invest in hundreds of roles over time across fleet maintenance, validation driving, customer service, and other operations functions that support the service.
Partnership History and Safety Record
The Toronto expansion builds on the strategic multi-year partnership the companies announced on June 15, 2026, which provides end-to-end fleet management and operational services for Waymo’s autonomous mobility operation. That work started with an initial deployment in San Diego and was structured to reach additional markets over time. Under the June arrangement, Waymo planned to offer its ride-hailing service to the public through the Waymo app while keeping responsibility for the Waymo Driver’s validation and performance.
Waymo reported that data from more than 400 million fully autonomous kilometres driven shows the Waymo Driver was involved in 95% fewer crashes involving serious injury or worse than humans in the cities where it operates. Waymo’s ride-hailing service has delivered tens of millions of fully autonomous trips across more than 15 U.S. cities, according to Element’s release, which notes the company began in 2009 as the Google Self-Driving Car Project.
Waymo said it is also collaborating with accessibility and mobility advocacy organizations in Toronto, naming BALANCE for Blind Adults, CNIB, Community Living Toronto, Connected Canadians, and Epilepsy Ontario. Michelle McQuigge, chief executive officer of BALANCE for Blind Adults, said early engagement from Waymo reflects the kind of approach that produces real results, pointing to the company’s history of partnering with the sight loss community on accessible solutions.
Element reported managing more than 1.5 million vehicles globally and identifying over $1.7 billion in cost savings opportunities across client fleets in the past year.
Waymo directed prospective Toronto riders to sign up for updates at waymo.com/waymo-in-canada to be among the first to ride when the service is ready.
