Self-driving shuttle tests in Punggol to intensify in preparation for service in 2026

Testing of autonomous vehicles in Punggol will be stepped up, with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) giving approval to allow a fleet of 1l driverless vehicles to be tested on two shuttle service routes.

- Lee Nian Tjoe Senior Transport Correspondent

This follows the first autonomous vehicle test in Punggol in mid-October.

The tests are being run by ride-hailing giant Grab in partnership with WeRide, a Guangzhou-based autonomous vehicle company that has been operating in Singapore since 2024. The companies expect their self-driving vehicles to be ready to transport their first group of public passengers in early 2026.

More than 100 test runs have been completed since mid-October, the companies told The Straits Times, but did not say how many vehicles were involved.

The firms added that they plan to increase the number of test runs with the driverless vehicles by up to four times by the end of 2025.

Mr Alejandro Osorio, managing director of Grab Singapore, said the tests are essential to ensure that the community has “smooth, secure and meaningful journeys”.