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Singapore to Launch First Autonomous Bus Pilot in Mid-2026 Routes 191 and 400 to Commence Operations, Marking a New Phase in Smart Mobility
Published Time：
2025-10-05 15:42
Source：
(6 October 2025, Singapore) — Singapore’s first autonomous bus service pilot is set to begin in mid-2026, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s journey toward intelligent public transport. The autonomous buses, each capable of carrying up to 16 passengers, will first operate on Route 191 in the one-north business park and Route 400 connecting Marina Bay and Shenton Way. During the pilot phase, fares will be the same as those for regular bus services.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced on October 2 that a consortium comprising BYD Singapore, Zhidao ICV Technology (Beijing), and local firm MKX Technologies has been awarded a three-year contract worth approximately S$8.14 million to operate the autonomous bus service pilot. The consortium brings extensive international experience and proven technical expertise. Zhidao ICV Technology has deployed autonomous buses in major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin, and offers advanced fleet management, remote operation, and multi-sensor systems. MKX Technologies will lead local research, development, and project management, while BYD Singapore will provide the electric buses.
According to LTA, the consortium has a strong track record in operating autonomous buses under mixed-traffic conditions overseas and is well-positioned to deliver a safe and reliable autonomous public transport solution for Singapore.
Before launch, the autonomous buses will undergo rigorous testing to ensure compliance with all safety and operational standards, including completion of closed-circuit testing and attainment of the Milestone 1 (M1) certification.
In the initial phase, six autonomous buses will be procured, all equipped with accessibility features such as wheelchair bays and boarding ramps. During this period, each bus will have a safety operator on board, while LTA will continuously monitor performance and compliance. As the system matures, remote operators will oversee operations from a central control centre, and onboard personnel will transition to providing customer service assistance. LTA stated that the consortium will work with SMRT Buses to develop operational plans and collaborate with the Singapore Bus Academy to train existing bus captains for new roles, including safety operators.
The introduction of autonomous bus services is expected to create new employment opportunities, including roles for safety operators, customer service officers, and fleet managers. LTA will work with public transport operators and the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) to design relevant training programmes for these positions. NTWU Executive Secretary Yeo Wan Ling noted that LTA and the union have formed a joint working group to review workforce transformation needs arising from automation, ensuring workers are well-prepared to adapt to new technologies.
Authorities highlighted that autonomous buses can complement existing public transport services by maintaining operations on lower-demand routes or enabling new routes previously constrained by manpower limitations, thereby enhancing service flexibility and network coverage. If the pilot proves successful, LTA may consider procuring up to 14 additional autonomous buses and expanding the trial’s scale.
Beyond this initiative, Singapore also plans to introduce three autonomous vehicle service routes in Punggol, with the first expected to open to the public by the second quarter of next year. Senior Minister of State for Transport and Finance Chee Hong Tat previously stated that the government aims to deploy 10 autonomous vehicles in Punggol by the end of this year, before expanding the programme to other towns such as Tengah, with a potential fleet of 100 to 150 vehicles by the end of 2026 — further strengthening Singapore’s smart mobility ecosystem.
As Singapore continues to advance the real-world adoption of autonomous driving technologies, the nation’s smart mobility sector is entering a new phase of innovation and growth. Fozztrim, a company committed to technological innovation and sustainable mobility solutions, actively supports and participates in industry collaborations to enhance intelligent transport systems. Through data-driven insights and integrated solutions, Fozztrim contributes to Singapore’s vision of a safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable urban transport future.
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