Waze Expands Carpool App Across U.S.

Alphabet Inc.’s Waze unit is expanding the availability of its Carpool service across the U.S.

Waze began testing the system, which connects independent drivers of personal vehicles with potential passengers headed in the same direction, California and Israel two years ago. Availability was later expanded to 12 other states and Brazil.

Drivers can turn on the feature within the current Waze app on their smartphone. Riders must download a new Waze Carpool app.

Drivers and riders can select each other based on route, user ratings, gender, common friends and place of employment or school (verified by company/college email addresses). Waze says it has inked deals with several universities and employers, including Amazon, to help facilitate carpooling among co-workers.

Users can create customizable groups to connect with previous ride-sharing companions. Commuters also can schedule rides for as much as a week in advance.

During the first month, riders will be charged a flat fee of $2. Thereafter, they will pay 54 cents per mile, with drivers getting a portion of the fee. All payments will be handled by Waze.

The new app will compete against rival Lyft Line and Uber Pool services, as well as other carpooling apps such as Scoop and Carpool Buddy.

Waze drivers will be limited to two carpools per day. This puts the focus on carpooling—reducing traffic congestion and costs—rather than being a money-making scheme for drivers, Waze says.