Singapore is scaling up its autonomous vehicle network as Grab expands its self-driving fleet from 10 to 50 vehicles over the next six months. The transport operator prepares to launch an on-demand, point-to-point service in Punggol, building on public shuttle trials.
Grab Scales Up Fleet and Targets On-Demand Punggol Rides
Grab plans to multiply its autonomous vehicle fleet fivefold over the next six months, taking its vehicle count from 10 up to 50, according to the company’s fleet expansion announcement on Monday (Sep 14). Any service expansion beyond Punggol would be subject to regulatory approval, Grab said, adding that it would work with the Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to widen AV service coverage within Punggol. Grab said it is also investing in dedicated AV infrastructure and working with government agencies on a depot in Punggol.
The expansion arrives as the company’s existing autonomous fleet reaches operational milestones on local roads. Current autonomous vehicles have travelled more than 110,000km autonomously on Singapore’s roads and served more than 12,000 unique riders. Public demand continues to climb, with more than 1,000 people on a waitlist for Grab’s new AV services, the company added, up from more than 500 in July. LTA approved Grab and autonomous driving technology company WeRide for community rides on the AV shuttle service in Punggol in January, before public rides began in April.
Grab is now preparing to launch an on-demand, point-to-point service across selected locations in Punggol, with more service points to be rolled out in the coming months. Unlike the existing shuttle service, which operates on fixed routes, the on-demand service will allow riders to travel directly between selected pick-up and drop-off points. The pilot service will improve transport options between residential areas and key amenities — including medical clinics, markets, schools, and transport hubs like Punggol Coast MRT station, said Grab on Wednesday (July 29).
Testing Protocols, Safety Measures, and ComfortDelGro’s Parallel Rollout
While Grab expands its footprint alongside autonomous driving technology partner WeRide, transport operator ComfortDelGro is preparing its own distinct driverless initiative in the district. ComfortDelGro’s autonomous shuttle service, Zig Driverless, will begin in Punggol later this year, announced the transport operator on Sept 20. Upon its launch, the service will be available for booking via CDG’s Zig app under the Zig Driverless option. Developed in partnership with Chinese tech firm, Pony.ai, ComfortDelGro’s fleet will feature advanced sensor fusion systems, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, supported by high-precision mapping with centimetre-level accuracy. Pony.ai has built up over 50 million kilometres of autonomous driving experience.
CDG adds that the vehicles will go through rigorous testing protocols, including extensive validation across diverse scenarios and real-world trials, before deployment
. Each vehicle comes with comprehensive safety systems such as obstacle detection, emergency braking protocols, and redundant safety measures. CDG signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Pony.ai to try commercialising robotaxis in China in August last year.
This programme leverages ComfortDelGro's unique position as a strong infrastructure and fleet management expert with successful autonomous vehicle trials,
says Cheng Siak Kian, managing director and group CEO of CDG. “Through our AV pilot with Pony.ai in Guangzhou, China, and several AV shuttle operating routes in Singapore, we have built comprehensive real-world AV operational capabilities, including fleet management, safety management systems, remote operator functions as well as a training and development pipeline,he adds. The programme will also help
attract younger talent to the transport industry”, says Cheng. CDG’s fleet has steadily declined in recent years. As at July 2025, CDG has 5,931 cabs, while CityCab, its new wholly-owned subsidiary, has 1,942 cabs. In comparison, CDG has 6,339 cabs as of end 2024, while CityCab had 2,085 cabs.
Meanwhile, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has granted approval to Grab and WeRide to conduct autonomous vehicle (AV) testing with their entire Autonomously Intelligent Ride (Ai.R) fleet in the Punggol district. The public autonomous ride service operated by the two companies is expected to take its first batch of public passengers in Punggol by early 2026, the companies said in a joint statement on Thursday (Nov 13). “The AV test runs are critical to preparations for the launch of Ai.R, which will serve two dedicated shuttle service routes in Punggol, establishing the district as Singapore’s first residential neighbourhood with an autonomous shuttle service,” they added. The Ai.R fleet comprises 11 AVs, 10 GXRs that can seat five passengers and one Robobus that seats eight.
Commuter Reception and the Path to Commercial Fares
Public response to the autonomous trials remains encouraging. LTA said on Wednesday (July 29) that more than 11,500 unique riders have experienced the driverless rides as at July 12. The agency said it has received overwhelmingly positive
feedback about the rides, pointing out that 99 per cent of around 900 respondents of its post-ride surveys in July said they felt safe and would recommend the ride to others. The survey also found that a proportion of riders preferred to choose where they board and alight, and to have more direct routes to their destinations.
Current shuttle operations remain free to the public while transport providers and regulators evaluate performance metrics. Grab operates fixed routes 1 and 3 in Punggol, while ComfortDelGro manages route 2. The existing AV shuttle service will remain free while Grab trials and enhances the new on-demand service, a Grab spokesperson said. Trial riders will be able to access Grab’s pilot service in the next few months before it is gradually opened to the public in the fourth quarter of 2026, when commercial fares will apply. LTA and Grab said they will add more pick-up and drop-off points in Punggol this year.