Tesla Robotaxi app appears to offer free first rides in Dallas and Houston

Tesla’s Robotaxi app appeared to begin offering new users a free first trip in Dallas and Houston, with a Houston booking screen displaying “First ride on us” and a fare of $0.00. Tesla had not publicly confirmed the promotion through its Robotaxi or corporate accounts.

Tesla North reported that Robotaxi tracker Ethan McKanna shared the in-app image at 7:09 p.m. Pacific time on Oct. 28. The booking card showed a Witte Road drop-off in Houston, an estimated pickup at about 9:28 p.m. local time and a Book Ride button below the zero-dollar total.

McKanna said the offer appeared during his tests in Dallas and Houston, but not in Austin. That limits the evidence to the app screens and his testing, rather than an announced, systemwide Tesla fare policy.

As we reported on Oct. 26, Tesla had expanded its Houston Robotaxi area from its original northwest base near Jersey Village into much of the 610 Loop. Houston Public Media described the enlarged boundary as rocket-shaped and said the northeast portion of the loop remained outside the service area.

Dallas and Houston joined Tesla’s driverless Robotaxi network in April, when Tesla posted that the service was rolling out in both cities. The company’s launch video showed vehicles operating without a human monitor or driver in the front seat.

Rides are hailed through the Robotaxi app, which estimates prices before booking. Tesla’s Houston fleet can use both Model Y vehicles and Cybercabs, the latter designed without a steering wheel or pedals. The company has said it plans to bring Robotaxi service to San Antonio in the future.