Nashville depot adds fleet support capacity for Waymo rides on Lyft

An 80,000-square-foot Flexdrive facility opened in Donelson to support Waymo fleet servicing. Lyft riders in eligible categories can now receive Waymo matches for trips beginning and ending within the central Nashville service area, with gradual expansion planned.

The depot shows that autonomous mobility still requires substantial physical facilities and on-site labor for fleet upkeep. For transportation and infrastructure planners, its proximity to the airport should not be confused with airport service: the reporting does not establish active airport or interstate operations.

The new Donelson depot gives Lyft and Waymo a dedicated maintenance base for Nashville’s autonomous ride-hailing operation. Hoodline reports that the facility has created more than 70 full-time jobs, with plans to eventually support hundreds of vehicles. Cars drive themselves to the site, but staff handle charging, cleaning and repairs. The opening adds physical support capacity alongside Lyft’s integration of Waymo vehicles into several ride categories. Lyft says autonomous and human-driven matches carry the same price, and passengers can decline an autonomous match or opt out entirely. The reported fleet already exceeds 100 vehicles across a 60-square-mile area, but availability remains limited. Airport and interstate operations are not established in the reporting; accounts differ on readiness. The development highlights the depot infrastructure and human maintenance work behind autonomous service expansion, rather than demonstrating unrestricted coverage or proven operating economics.

Evidence supplied by Hoodline.