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Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
China's WeRide, M'sia's Causeway Link among firms bidding to run driverless public buses in S'pore
LTA's plan is for the autonomous public buses to operate alongside existing manned buses for an initial three-year period. PHOTO: ST FILE SINGAPORE - Chinese self-driving technology start-up WeRide and a consortium led by Malaysian bus operator Handal Indah, also known as Causeway Link, are among four companies that have submitted bids to participate in a trial of autonomous public bus services here. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) called a tender in January seeking proposals for the trial, which is slated to start from mid-2026 on two public bus routes – one in Marina Bay and Shenton Way, and the other in one-north in Buona Vista. The tender, which closed on June 9 and is expected to be awarded by the end of 2025, drew four submissions in total. Apart from WeRide and the Handal Indah consortium, the other two tenderers are vehicle distributor Cycle & Carriage Automotive and another consortium led by MKX Technologies. According to business records, MKX Technologies was incorporated in Singapore in April and has two shareholders. The majority owner is X Star Technology, a Singapore subsidiary of Chinese online vehicle financing company Yixin Group, and the minority owner is MK.X, a Japanese electric car-sharing firm. Government procurement website GeBiz did not state the other companies that make up the Handal Indah and MKX Technologies consortiums. The Straits Times has contacted WeRide, Handal Indah, Cycle & Carriage and X Star Technology for comment. LTA previously said that it will start the trial by buying six autonomous buses with at least 16 seats, and deploying them on bus services 400 and 191. This is so the authority can assess the feasibility of self-driving technology for public bus services and gain operational insights. Former Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat had said that the use of autonomous vehicles would help to address pressing manpower challenges in the public transport sector, where it has been difficult to hire drivers. LTA's plan is for the autonomous public buses to operate alongside existing manned buses for an initial three-year period. Depending on how they perform, LTA may buy up to 14 more autonomous buses to expand the trial to two more routes later. LTA said it chose to trial the self-driving buses on services 400 and 191 as they are shorter and simpler routes. The authority is also taking a phased approach so it can thoroughly assess the reliability of autonomous vehicle technology while ensuring public safety. During the initial phase of the trial, the self-driving buses will have bus drivers on board to act as safety operators, and the buses will be monitored in real time by LTA. Extra safeguards, such as requiring all passengers to be seated and to wear seat belts, will be put in place, and a remote safety operator will be allowed to take over the supervisory role only after at least six months of testing. LTA had said that the autonomous vehicle developer selected for the trial will have to work with public transport operator SBS Transit, which runs services 400 and 191, to come up with operational concepts and plans for operating the autonomous public buses. The authority said it will evaluate the proposals it receives based on the maturity of the technology, the record of the autonomous vehicle developer and its ability to meet operational needs. Other factors being considered include the supporting infrastructure, such as fleet management and vehicle charging systems. WeRide, which holds driveless vehicle operator permits in China, the US, the United Arab Emirates and France, is no stranger to self-driving vehicle operations in Singapore. Since April 2024, it has been running an autonomous shuttle bus service at integrated resort Resorts World Sentosa. Two of WeRide's driverless road sweepers have also been on trial on public roads in the Marina coastal area since October 2024. Handal Indah has some autonomous vehicle know-how, too, via company founder Lim Han Weng's other business, Yinson Holdings. In 2021, Yinson backed Singapore-based autonomous vehicle start-up MooVita, which today operates a driverless shuttle bus service at Ngee Ann Polytechnic – albeit with a safety driver on board. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
The Star
24-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Handal Indah hosts educational visit for students promoting public transportation awareness
Children from the Kids Bonding Community in Johor Baru sharing joyful moments with representatives from Causeway Link during the Bringing Smiles to Life 2025 campaign. JOHOR BARU: In a heartwarming celebration of community and education, Handal Indah Sdn Bhd, the driving force behind Malaysia's Causeway Link, recently welcomed bright young minds and their families from Kids Bonding Community for an unforgettable school trip. This special day was part of the company's Bringing Smiles to Life corporate social responsibility campaign — a heartfelt mission to inspire, educate and create lasting change. Aligned with its vision to empower the next generation, Handal Indah opened its doors to foster awareness about Malaysia's public transportation system. Through interactive learning and real-world experiences, students discovered the importance of sustainable travel, road safety and the future of mobility. "At Handal Indah, we don't just move people — we move hearts and minds," shared HI Mobility Bhd chief marketing officer Lim Chern Fang. "Every child who steps onto one of our buses carries the potential to shape a greener, smarter future. While we wish we could host every school, our commitment to this mission remains unshakable." The young explorers dove into an immersive journey, learning essential bus safety rules and experiencing the excitement of eco-friendly travel aboard one of Handal Indah's electric buses. Their adventure included a real-world ride to Adda Heights, where they observed road safety practices, traffic signals and the vital role of public transport in connecting communities. As a token of encouragement, students received a myBAS Konsesi Card, granting them unlimited free rides on myBAS Johor Bahru buses. This initiative, supported by the Land Public Transport Agency (APAD), ensures that these young commuters can continue their journey toward a more sustainable and independent future.
