Judging by how some drivers behave on the road and the countless complaints on the Roads.sg Facebook page, you might think that letting a bus drive itself would be an accident waiting to happen. But autonomous vehicles are already plying the roads in Punggol, and they might soon become a regular sight on our roads.
In fact, you won’t have to wait long to see another one in action. Sentosa is set to welcome a driverless shuttle service that ferries passengers between hotels, beaches, and attractions across the island.
Ahead of the service’s public pilot in early 2027, we got a sneak peek at the shuttle in action to see what it’s like to have a bus take the “wheel”, quite literally.
An autonomous vehicle is a driverless, electric shuttle equipped with 360° sensors and self-driving technology. These allow it to detect its surroundings and navigate roads independently, without the need for a human driver.
Autonomous vehicles are becoming an increasingly important part of Singapore’s long-term public transport strategy. In September 2025, Punggol introduced autonomous shuttles as part of its public transport network, with feedback collected showing most riders felt safe onboard and would recommend the service to others.
Now, the driverless bus service is rolling into sunny Sentosa. Developed by Guangzhou-based autonomous technology company WeRide in partnership with Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and TADA, the shuttle has received the green light to begin pilot rides following extensive testing and safety assessments.
The 1st pilot phase, when the service launches in early 2027, will cover western Sentosa, including Siloso Beach and Palawan Beach, with 21 Planned Pick-up & Drop-off (PUDO) points. The on-demand service allows the shuttle to skip certain PUDO points along its predetermined routes based on passenger needs.
The 2nd phase will extend the service to eastern Sentosa, connecting Tanjong Beach to Sentosa Cove and bringing the total number of PUDO points to 27. Details on this will be announced at a later date, subject to regulatory approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA).
Here is the full list of PUDO points for the Western phase:
1. Beach Station (In front of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf)
2. Palawan Kidz City
3. Equarius Hotel
4. Hotel Ora
5. Hotel Michael / Crockfords Tower
6. The Laurus Singapore
7. Village Hotel Sentosa / The Barracks Hotel Sentosa
8. Oasia Resort Sentosa
9. Capella Singapore
10. Palawan Beach (In front of FOC by the Beach)
11. In front of the Southernmost Point of Continental Asia
12. The Palawan @ Sentosa
13. Siloso Point (Beachfront)
14. Mega Adventure Park
15. Siloso Beach Resort
16. Ola Beach Club
17. Coastes / Skyline Luge Singapore
18. Amara Sanctuary Sentosa
19. Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa (Planned for mid-2027)
20. Siloso Point (Planned for mid-2027)
21. Imbiah Lookout (Planned for mid-2027)
Booking a ride on the shuttle can be done through the TADA app (App Store | Google Play), though the feature isn’t available just yet. However, we did get a sneak peek at how the booking process works.
Once you’re at a pick-up point, look out for the PUDO signboard. Simply open the TADA app, select your pick-up and drop-off points, then follow the on-screen steps to book your ride.
During the pilot phase, only 2 vehicles will be in operation, running daily from 1pm to 7pm. The good news is that all rides will be free during the pilot, with payment options for the future still under consideration.
Our ride started at Beach Station, serving as a convenient alternative for getting to Sentosa’s beaches without the long walk or wait for the tram.
Before boarding, check that the shuttle ID matches the one shown on your TADA app.
Once onboard, scan the QR code to confirm your ride, buckle up, and stay seated throughout the journey. Eating and drinking aren’t allowed, so save your beachside snacks for later!
It can seat around 8 passengers, but the vehicle felt surprisingly spacious for its size, with enough room to stretch our legs without feeling cramped.
One of the first things we noticed was the array of sensors and 360° cameras fitted around the shuttle. Like everyone else, you were wondering whether it’s safe, but riding onboard gave us a firsthand look at how the bus navigates its surroundings.
An onboard screen offers a closer look at this process, visualising what the vehicle detects along the way. Nearby vehicles, pedestrians, and buildings are mapped out on the display, giving passengers a glimpse of how the bus reads its surroundings as it makes its way around Sentosa.
On the dashboard, we spotted a mounted touchscreen displaying a navigation map and route information, alongside a digital instrument panel showing the vehicle’s speed and other driving indicators.
One thing we noticed during the ride was how cautiously the shuttle approached zebra crossings. It would slow down and stop whenever there were pedestrians nearby, even if they were simply walking along the pavement.
The braking was also surprisingly gentle, with no sudden jolts when the bus came to a stop, making the ride feel smooth and comfortable.
During the trial phase, a safety operator will still be on board to monitor the shuttle. The long-term goal, however, is to gradually move towards fully autonomous operations, where the buses can navigate the island without an onboard operator.
When you reach your stop, simply alight and end your ride on the app.
The autonomous shuttle experience is expected to become even more engaging, with planned voice commentary highlighting Sentosa’s attractions along the way and more features in the works. For now, we’re looking forward to hopping aboard when the pilot service launches in early 2027.
For more Sentosa guides:
Photography by Chloe Chan.
Bookings can be made via the TADA app.
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