Singapore launched its first self-driving shuttles in Punggol in September 2025, with public passenger services set to begin in 2026, as announced by Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow during a roadshow at Punggol Digital District. The initiative, involving five- and eight-seater autonomous vehicles from Guangzhou-based Pony.ai and WeRide, operated by ComfortDelGro and Grab respectively, aims to enhance connectivity in less accessible Punggol areas, potentially reducing travel times by up to 15 minutes. Three initial routes will be mapped by three vehicles starting next week, with 10 shuttles planned by end-2025 and 100-150 by end-2026, complementing public bus networks with feeder and night services.
The first public route, operated by Grab with WeRide, will connect Matilda Court and Punggol Clover to Oasis Terraces’ polyclinic via a 10km, 35-minute round trip, running 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays, accessible via the Grab app without pre-booking. ComfortDelGro’s route, using Pony.ai vehicles, will cover seven stops in Punggol East and North, requiring pre-booking via the Zig app. Both operators aim for 15-minute shuttle intervals, with fares to be affordable yet distinct from public transport and ride-hailing, as noted by Grab’s Alex Hungate and ComfortDelGro’s Cheng Siak Kian. Safety operators will remain onboard, and passengers will be insured.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) emphasized rigorous testing to ensure safety, with Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling assuring residents of prioritized safety measures. The initiative, supported by community engagement with schools and public transport operators, aligns with Singapore’s smart city goals and plans for expansion to other HDB towns like Tengah. Pony.ai’s entry marks its Southeast Asia debut, building on its China robotaxi trials with ComfortDelGro, while WeRide leverages its 2024 Singapore operations with Grab.
(Source: The Straits Times)
