SINGAPORE, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has invited industry players to submit proposals for a pilot program to test autonomous public buses, the authority announced Monday.

The call for proposals, which closes by the second quarter of 2025, aims to kick-start a three-year trial of smaller autonomous buses on two selected routes beginning in mid-2026.

The initiative will begin with six buses, each with at least 16 seats, navigating routes chosen for their "shorter and simpler" layouts. The pilot program seeks to "assess the technical feasibility of autonomous vehicle technology for public bus services, and gain insights into the operational aspects of running autonomous buses at both service and fleet levels," an LTA statement said.

In the initial phase, the buses will operate with bus captains onboard as safety operators, ensuring smooth operations and meeting safety requirements, including safe pick-ups and drop-offs at designated stops. Passengers will also be required to remain seated and wear seatbelts. A customer service officer may be deployed to assist commuters who require help.

Once the buses demonstrate reliable self-driving and remote operation capabilities, the captains will be replaced by remote safety operators. The LTA will monitor the buses in real-time throughout the trial to assess their performance and compliance with regulations.

If successful, the LTA may expand the program by procuring up to 14 additional buses and adding two more routes to the trial. A contract for the pilot is expected to be awarded by the end of 2025. Enditem

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