Grab Holdings and WeRide have initiated Singapore's first autonomous public ride-hailing service within a residential district, marking a new step in the city-state's move toward driverless mobility. The service commenced operations in Punggol on Tuesday and is open to members of the public, who can book trips on autonomous vehicles that run on predetermined routes.
The rollout comes after a period of trialing the system. According to a statement from WeRide, the company conducted trials involving more than 1,000 users and accumulated in excess of 30,000 kilometers of autonomous driving during the testing phase. These trials served as the operational base for the launch in the Punggol neighborhood.
In the initial phase of public operations, human safety operators will remain aboard the vehicles. Grab said it is retraining drivers so they can assume new responsibilities tied to autonomous services - including remote vehicle monitoring - as part of the transition to driverless operations. The presence of onboard safety operators reflects the staged approach the partners are taking as they move from testing toward broader deployment.
Both companies stated that rides will be free for users until commercial operations are scheduled to begin later in 2026. During this period, the partners will gather user feedback and make refinements to the service ahead of paid operations. The temporary complimentary service is intended to inform adjustments to routes, user experience, and operational procedures before the service becomes revenue-generating.
The announcement had an immediate market effect for WeRide in Hong Kong. Shares of the Hong Kong-listed autonomous vehicle firm rose 6% on Wednesday following news of the launch.
This deployment represents a controlled expansion of autonomous mobility within an urban residential context, combining extended pre-launch testing, on-vehicle safety oversight, and a trial period of free rides to collect real-world user data. The partners have positioned the initiative as a phased approach, with the current iteration focused on refining the service and preparing staff for new roles linked to autonomous fleet operations ahead of the commercial debut planned for 2026.