First of 6 driverless public buses arrives in S’pore ahead of Marina Bay, one-north trials
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The first of six self-driving public buses arrived in Singapore earlier in March.
PHOTO: LTA
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- Singapore receives its first self-driving public bus for testing on services 400 and 191, which will be deployed on routes in the second half of 2026.
- LTA will rigorously test the 16-seat buses with cameras and sensors for safety and operational readiness before deployment.
- Following tests, a three-year pilot on two bus services could lead to procuring 14 more driverless buses for wider use.
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SINGAPORE – The first of six self-driving public buses arrived in Singapore earlier in March. The buses will be tested on routes served by public bus services 400 in Marina Bay and 191 in one-north from the second half of 2026 as part of a pilot.
In a Facebook post on March 25, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said the six buses will be rigorously tested to ensure that they meet all safety and operating requirements before they hit the roads. When ready, the self-driving public buses will operate alongside existing manned buses, it added.
LTA provided a video preview of what the 16-seat bus looks like, noting that its features are similar to those of public buses. In the video, a space designated for a wheelchair can be seen.
The bus also comes with cameras and sensors at the front, rear and top, providing operators with 360-degree awareness of the surroundings.
LTA said in the video that more preparatory work is needed before testing starts. The tests will include LTA’s closed-circuit test comprising basic manoeuvres and an assessment of the buses’ ability to allow passengers to board and alight safely at all designated stops.
The driverless vehicles will be deployed on the two public bus routes in a three-year pilot.
Service 400 serves the Marina Bay and Shenton Way areas, stopping at Marina Bay Cruise Centre and Gardens by the Bay, as well as Shenton Way and Downtown MRT stations.
Service 191 plies the one-north area. Besides Buona Vista bus terminal, it also stops at one-north and Buona Vista MRT stations.
After the first six units are deployed, LTA can procure 14 more and expand the pilot to additional public bus services in Singapore.
The six buses and their systems are manufactured by software and application developer MKX Technologies, autonomous vehicle specialist Zhidao Network Technology (Beijing) and electric vehicle-maker BYD.
