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Singapore Halts Planned Autonomous Bus Routes

The Land Transport Authority has called off plans to deploy six autonomous buses on two SBS Transit routes, opting for smaller-scale trials instead.

FollowinTrend Desk Oct 12, 2026 2 min read AI-assisted

Nighttime city scene with blurred lights from traffic, capturing urban energy. — Photo: MART PRODUCTION / Pexels Illustrative stock photo, not taken at the event.

Quick facts

LTA cancelled the planned deployment on routes 400 and 191.
All six imported autonomous buses have arrived in Singapore.
Only one of the six buses has passed closed-circuit testing.

Why it matters

The decision to scale back indicates a prioritisation of safety and technical readiness over ambitious deployment timelines. By focusing on controlled environments like employee shuttles, the LTA is likely attempting to mitigate risk before integrating autonomous systems into the high-frequency and complex conditions of Singapore's public bus network.

As of October 12, 2026, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has confirmed that plans to deploy six autonomous buses on two SBS Transit routes have been called off. The routes previously slated for these trials were 400 and 191.

Why is this trending in Singapore?

The announcement has drawn significant public interest as it marks a shift in Singapore's approach to integrating driverless technology into the national public transport network. While the initial goal was to launch these services by mid-2026, the authority has pivoted to a more cautious, phased testing model.

What happened?

The LTA stated that it is moving toward a “phased and calibrated approach” regarding the rollout of driverless vehicles. Rather than moving directly into public bus services, which the authority described as more complex, the LTA is now exploring narrower use cases. These include employee shuttle services intended for targeted groups of commuters before considering a wider public deployment.

According to the LTA, all six autonomous buses intended for the project have already been delivered to Singapore. However, testing progress remains in the early stages, with only one of the six vehicles having successfully passed closed-circuit tests so far.

What is confirmed and what is not?

It is confirmed that the specific plans for routes 400 and 191 are cancelled. Details regarding the timeline for the new, smaller-scale trials for employee shuttles have not been released. The LTA has indicated that further information regarding these alternative deployment strategies will be announced at a later date.

Frequently asked questions

Why were the autonomous bus plans cancelled?

The Land Transport Authority decided to move to a phased, calibrated approach. It is prioritizing narrower use cases, such as employee shuttle services, to test the technology safely before attempting a more complex deployment on public bus routes.

Which routes were affected by the change?

The LTA confirmed that the planned deployment of autonomous buses on SBS Transit routes 400 and 191 has been called off. No other public bus routes were mentioned in the official statement regarding this specific change.

How many autonomous buses have been delivered?

All six autonomous buses intended for the project have been delivered to Singapore. However, the LTA noted that as of October 12, 2026, only one of these buses has successfully passed the required closed-circuit testing.

When will the new autonomous bus trials begin?

The LTA has not provided a specific start date for the new, smaller-scale trials. The authority stated that details regarding these tests will be announced at a later date.

Are these buses currently carrying passengers?

No. The LTA has halted the planned deployment on public routes and is currently focusing on closed-circuit testing and exploring potential use cases for employee shuttles, rather than general public transport operations at this time.

Is the autonomous bus project completely abandoned?

No. The LTA clarified that it is not abandoning the technology but is instead shifting its strategy to a more gradual implementation, starting with narrower use cases to ensure the system is ready for the complexities of public bus service.