Google-Owned Waze Expands Carpooling Features

Waze, the GPS app owned by Google since 2013, announced that it is launching a new Carpool feature that allows users to invite multiple riders to join a carpool.

Before now, a carpool could only be initiated by a driver with one other rider, and then other riders in the Waze Carpool network could request to join. This new service allows drivers to invite up to four other riders to join a carpool.

“With more riders on board, you can now save even more on your commute,” the company wrote in a blog post. “Fill up to four seats in a carpool, and get a little extra with each rider — keeping in mind that prices are adjusted, so they don’t exceed the total sum of gas and wear & tear.”

Once a ride has been confirmed, a user needs to tap the + icon to invite more riders on the route with minimal detour. Users can adjust the number of available seats in the carpool by going to their Carpool settings, and then tapping the settings (gear icon) in the top right corner of the calendar view.

This feature is one of the most requested services from its customers, the company said.

In December, Waze Carpool partnered with on-demand staffing platform Wonolo to provide carpooling services for Wonolo’s community of more than 300,000 local gig workers. The partnership was rolled out to the San Francisco Bay Area and Chicago markets first, but it is expected to expand nationwide in the future.

Last month it was announced that Waze got an upgrade by being integrated into Google Assistant. The enhancement allows customers to use the smart voice companion within the Waze app, accessing the usual Google Assistant features, including playback of music and podcasts, as well as Waze-specific capabilities, such as asking for a report on traffic conditions or making specific routing requests.