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Google just unveiled a new ride-sharing service that lets S.F. commuters join carpools, marking its first step into the booming market and effectively declaring war against Uber.
The pilot program is centered around Google’s headquarters and lets several thousand workers in the area use its Waze app to connect with other commuters and arrange carpools, the Wall Street Journal reports. But Google has larger plans—the firm will open the platform up to the entire S.F. area by autumn.
Unlike Uber and Lyft, Waze wants to discourage drivers from working as taxi businesses by charging rates of 54 cents a mile or less. That’s less than most Uber and Lyft rides, and for now Google doesn’t even take a cut. [WSJ]
