Punggol autonomous shuttle update: free public rides now running, new Oasis Terraces route live
The Punggol autonomous shuttle trial has moved past its community-ride phase. Free public rides opened on 22 June 2026, with ComfortDelGro's Zig Driverless service and Grab's Ai.R shuttles both carrying passengers across the estate's three routes. The change matters for Punggol Coast because the network now connects the Punggol Coast MRT and Punggol Coast Mall interchange directly to the residential west and to Oasis Terraces, without requiring an LRT transfer.
What launched on 22 June, and what changed on 1 July
ComfortDelGro launched a lite phase of Route 2 on 22 June, operated under the Zig Driverless brand with Pony.ai. The full seven-stop Route 2 then went live on 1 July 2026, adding the new link that runs through Oasis Terraces. As of 1 July, all three routes are active. Route 2 is the one most relevant to Punggol Coast: it runs from Punggol Plaza, through Punggol Waterway Sunrise I and II, to One Punggol (Sam Kee LRT), then to Block 420A Punggol Northshore, the Punggol Coast Mall Bus Interchange, and Oasis Terraces. A single loop takes about 50 to 60 minutes.
Grab's Ai.R shuttles, operated with WeRide, had already been running public rides on Routes 1 and 3 from 1 April 2026, with over 1,000 riders signing up in the first phase. Route 1 runs from Block 234 Punggol Matilda Court through Block 204A Punggol Clover, Punggol Plaza, and Oasis Terraces, taking 35 to 45 minutes. Route 3 runs from Matilda Court through Punggol Clover, One Punggol (Sam Kee LRT), Block 420A Punggol Northshore, to Punggol Coast Mall Bus Interchange, taking 40 to 50 minutes. A shorter Route 3 Mini is also available for riders who want a quick loop without committing to the full circuit.
The new 50-minute Oasis Terraces route
The standout addition in the public phase is the full Route 2, the 50 to 60 minute loop that is the only one of the three to require pre-booking, via the CDG Zig app. It is also the only route that runs daily (9.30am to 5.30pm), including weekends, which makes it the practical weekend option for getting between the residential east, One Punggol, the Northshore estates, and Punggol Coast Mall. Routes 1 and 3 run weekdays only, 9.30am to 5.30pm, and do not require pre-booking.
The Route 2 stop list, in order, is Punggol Plaza, Block 656A Punggol Waterway Sunrise I, Block 653C Punggol Waterway Sunrise II, One Punggol (Sam Kee LRT), Block 420A Punggol Northshore, Punggol Coast Mall Bus Interchange, and Oasis Terraces. For a Punggol Coast reader, the practical read is that the shuttle now links the PDD-side interchange to Oasis Terraces, where the polyclinic sits, on a single free loop. Before this, that trip meant an LRT transfer at Punggol station.
How to book, and what the ride is like
For Grab's Ai.R shuttles (Routes 1, 3, 3 Mini), book at rideair.ai, choose your route, passenger count and timeslot, and bring a booster seat for any child under 1.35m. Each shuttle carries up to five passengers, including a maximum of three children. Vehicles arrive every 15 minutes, or closer to every 10 minutes for the Mini route. You scan a QR code at the back of the safety operator's seat on boarding, and tap to end the trip in the Grab app when you return.
For ComfortDelGro's Zig Driverless shuttles (Route 2), open the Zig app, go to the Zig Driverless tab, agree to the travel requirements, pick your service route and your pick-up and drop-off points, then confirm. When the vehicle arrives, scan the QR code to unlock the door, tap confirm once everyone is in, and tap End trip at the destination. Assisted rides for larger groups and people who need help boarding are available on Mondays and Fridays via the booking.gov.sg form.
Every vehicle currently has a trained safety operator on board who can take over manually if needed. The vehicles are left-hand drive imports, so boarding and alighting are from the right door at all stops. There are five seats, charging ports, a route-progress screen showing what the AV "sees", and room for one small bag per person. Strollers and wheelchairs will not fit.
What it costs, and when fares arrive
Rides are free during the current public phase. Grab has indicated a target fare of around $4 per passenger once the free phase ends, sitting between public transport and ride-hailing prices, with introductory discounted fares. ComfortDelGro's fares are still under discussion with LTA. Both operators are still gathering feedback to fine-tune service and pricing, so the free window is expected to run through mid-2026.
Practical Details
- Public rides launch: 22 June 2026 (ComfortDelGro Zig Driverless, Route 2 lite); full 7-stop Route 2 from 1 July 2026. Grab Ai.R public rides on Routes 1 and 3 from 1 April 2026.
- Operating hours: Daily 9.30am to 5.30pm for Route 2; weekdays 9.30am to 5.30pm for Routes 1 and 3
- Routes: Route 1 (Matilda Court to Oasis Terraces, 35 to 45 min), Route 2 (Punggol Plaza to Oasis Terraces via Punggol Coast Mall, 50 to 60 min, pre-booking required), Route 3 (Matilda Court to Punggol Coast Mall Bus Interchange, 40 to 50 min)
- Price: Free during public ride phase; planned fare around $4 per passenger once commercial service begins
- Booking: Grab Ai.R at rideair.ai (Routes 1, 3, 3 Mini); CDG Zig Driverless via the Zig app (Route 2); assisted rides Mondays and Fridays via booking.gov.sg
- Nearest MRT to pick-up: Punggol Coast MRT station (NEL) for Punggol Coast Mall Bus Interchange stop; Punggol MRT station (NEL) for Punggol Plaza stop
- Website: CDG Zig Driverless and Grab Ai.R