The fleet race in driverless taxis has accelerated: A year-end move from Lyft and Waymo

Lyft and Waymo plan to significantly expand their joint driverless taxi fleet before the end of 2026, accelerating the robotaxi fleet race. In Nashville, the partnership generates two separate revenue streams per vehicle, and Lyft reported a 47% increase in adjusted operating income while still posting a net loss. The tie-up matters because it pairs Lyft's ride-hailing demand with Waymo's autonomous technology, positioning both against rival robotaxi operators. Investors will watch fleet growth targets, the pace of expansion into new cities, and whether rising adjusted operating profit can offset Lyft's continued net losses.