Punggol residents get to try out driverless shuttle service

By-invitation rides, which are free, will run until the service is publicly available

- Lee Nian Tjoe Senior Transport Correspondent

A safety operator is seated behind the steering wheel of the driverless shuttle, ready to intervene if needed. A screen in the cabin shows what the vehicle's sensors are detecting, as well as the distance to the next drop-off point.

Residents in Punggol estate are being invited to try out a new driverless shuttle service from Jan 12, ahead of a public roll-out expected within the next two to three months.

The 10km route connects Punggol Matilda Court and Punggol Clover with the polyclinic at Oasis Terraces via Punggol Plaza. This links the western and eastern parts of the estate, and is one of three autonomous vehicle (AV) routes that are under development. The AV shuttle services can cut travel times by up to 15 minutes per trip.

During this phase, the service is free of charge. It will operate on weekdays from 9.30am to 5pm, with shuttles arriving every 15 minutes. Participants will be invited by various channels, including through grassroots organisations. These by-invitation rides will run until the service is publicly available. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) does not have a maximum number of riders planned.