The Government of Singapore will roll out autonomous shuttles in Punggol by the fourth quarter of 2025, marking the first phase of a broader plan to integrate self-driving vehicles into the public transport network over the next five years.
Initial routes in Punggol are being finalised based on resident feedback to improve first- and last-mile access, particularly between Punggol West and amenities in the east, such as the wet market and polyclinic, and vice versa to transport hubs. The services will begin with limited, fixed-route operations within Housing Board estates and will not carry passengers immediately. Shuttles will be deployed with onboard safety officers and run at controlled speeds until the public grows more familiar with them.
The Ministry of Transport is in talks with multiple autonomous vehicle developers, including firms like WeRide, Pony.ai, and Waymo. The focus is on small multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) with doors on both sides, due to their adaptability and availability. The services are expected to be priced between public bus and ride-hailing fares.
Punggol was selected as the launch site due to its modern road infrastructure and established travel patterns. If successful, the service could expand to other areas such as Tengah by early 2026. The initiative runs parallel to Land Transport Authority’s (LTA) upcoming trial of autonomous buses on public routes starting mid-2026.