ComfortDelGro (CDG) started offering free autonomous vehicle shuttle rides to the public in Punggol on June 22, 2026. The shuttle covers a 25-minute circuit linking Block 420A Northshore Drive, Punggol Coast Mall, and One Punggol (Sam Kee LRT station), operating daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Riders must book in advance through CDG’s Zig app or the government’s BookingSG platform at https://zig.sg/driverless [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
The CDG fleet currently runs five-seat robotaxis built by Chinese autonomous driving company Pony.ai. A safety officer is present on every ride to monitor operations [1, 3, 4, 5]. On launch day, about 80% of the 230 available daily slots for the shorter route were expected to be filled [3]. Mondays and Fridays are reserved for groups, families, and passengers requiring assistance [1].
Before the public launch, CDG conducted invite-only trials starting in April with over 1,500 riders participating. In January, a safety incident involving a collision with a road divider led to a pause and protocol review before trials resumed [1, 4, 5].
From July 1, CDG will introduce a longer 50-minute route that adds seven stops, including Oasis Terraces, Punggol Plaza, and the Waterway Sunrise housing estates. This expanded route aims to increase accessibility throughout the neighborhood [1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5].
ComfortDelGro has not announced fares or a paid start date but is in discussions with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) about future pricing [1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5]. CDG currently operates five autonomous vehicles in Punggol and aims for 10% of its global point-to-point transport fleet to be autonomous by 2030, expanding operations in Singapore and China [4, 5].
The free rides provide a smooth and convenient alternative to traditional transit, especially benefiting elderly residents. Retiree Chak Siew Cheun said, "It was our first time trying an AV and the ride was so smooth. We didn’t feel any difference between this and a normal taxi ride" [2]. Punggol resident Oh Kim said she would try the shuttle for trips to the polyclinic when needed [2]. Punggol MP Sun Xueling noted, "Over 6,000 have tried AVs since January, and I hope they bring greater convenience and connectivity for residents" [2].
Grab has also been operating free autonomous shuttles in Punggol since April, serving over 5,000 passengers and covering 60,000 km as of June 12. Grab plans to start paid rides at a flat fare of S$4 from mid-2026 [1, 2, 6, 4, 5].
CDG and LTA continue to monitor the service and prepare for the July 1 launch of the extended route, which will offer broader coverage in Punggol and more ride slots for the public [1, 2, 6, 3, 4, 5].
