Singapore to launch self-driving public bus trials by mid-2026

Singapore will begin testing self-driving public buses on select routes starting mid-2026, aiming to evaluate their potential for widespread deployment, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on January 27.

In a Facebook post, LTA revealed that it has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) inviting bids to pilot autonomous bus services in the city-state. The RFP will help assess the technical and operational viability of deploying driverless buses on both individual routes and as part of a fleet.

The pilot program will feature six self-driving buses, each with a minimum capacity of 16 seats, operating alongside manned buses for an initial three-year period. These buses will serve routes in Marina Bay, Shenton Way, a business park, and a research center on Singapore's outskirts. LTA explained that these shorter, simpler routes were selected for the initial phase.

For safety, drivers will be present on board as "safety operators" during the first stage of the trial. Once the system proves reliable, remote safety operators will take over supervisory roles.

To potentially expand the pilot, LTA may procure up to 14 additional autonomous buses. The RFP process will close in the second quarter of 2025, with the project expected to be awarded by the end of the year.