Will driverless cars make ride-hailing cheaper in Singapore?
Robotaxis could improve ride availability before delivering lower fares – but adoption and jobs remain challenges.
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Public expectations of the roll-out of autonomous vehicles may be getting ahead of reality, says the writer.
PHOTO: ST FILE
Lee Kwok Hao
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) have arrived in Singapore. But public expectations of their roll-out may be getting ahead of reality: The technology could disrupt jobs and transform transport, yet take years to become commonplace. And, even when driverless cars become widespread, consumers may not see the dramatic fare reductions they expect.
Alongside trials by Grab and ComfortDelGro, the recent news of Waymo’s entry into Singapore is another sign that AVs will form a growing share of the country’s point-to-point (P2P) transport system. The company aims to begin bookings for self-driving trips in Singapore come 2028.