The Government of Singapore has formed a 17-member committee to guide the introduction of autonomous vehicles (AVs) into its public transport system. The panel includes representatives from government, unions, academia, and the AV industry. It will coordinate four workgroups focused on deployment planning, regulation, employment, and technology, aiming to ensure AV integration is safe, inclusive, and beneficial to the workforce.
The government plans to start passenger-carrying AV shuttle services in Punggol by the end of 2025, following ongoing trials across logistics, cleaning, and limited passenger services. The workgroups will address safety standards, liability frameworks, local job creation, cybersecurity, and public acceptance. The labour union NTUC emphasised the need for retraining and new career pathways to help transport workers transition as automation expands.
The committee includes executives from Grab, SMRT, ComfortDelGro, WeRide, Waymo, and Venti Technologies, alongside academic experts and senior ministers. Singapore aims to gradually scale up AV use for tasks like night transport and fixed-route services within housing estates, improving connectivity while addressing manpower challenges.