Singapore will initiate a pilot program for autonomous public bus services in mid-2026, lasting three years. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) launched a Request for Proposal (RFP) to gather industry proposals for this trial.
The pilot will utilize smaller buses with at least 16 seats, initially operated with bus captains as safety operators. Real-time monitoring will assess self-driving performance and regulatory compliance.
Six autonomous buses will be procured, operating alongside existing manned services. Routes selected for the trial include Services 400 (Marina Bay/Shenton Way) and 191 (One-north), chosen for their shorter, simpler paths.
The selected contractor will collaborate with SBS Transit Ltd to develop operational plans. After a six-month reliability demonstration, a remote safety operator may oversee operations.
The LTA may expand the pilot to include up to 14 additional autonomous buses based on performance, with the RFP closing in the second quarter of 2025 and contract awards expected by year-end.