More Options for Taxi and Private Hire Car Drivers as Singapore Prepares for the Future of Mobility

Drivers to benefit from more career options; dedicated support

1.           Singapore is progressively adopting autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies to improve connectivity and transport options for commuters, complementing the existing taxi and private hire ecosystem. As we do so, drivers can continue to operate with confidence that there will still be strong demand for manned point-to-point services.

2.           The Ministry of Transport (MOT) today announced a manpower transition package, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Grab Singapore and ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited, to enable drivers to stay ahead of changes in the transport landscape. Singapore’s journey towards adopting AVs will be accompanied by proactive and continued investments in people and skills. The package is the first of more steps to provide options for drivers to thrive in this future of mobility.

3.           While we are in the early stages of AV deployments, the Government has been working closely with tripartite partners to study how best to enable drivers to plan their long-term careers and to switch to new careers if they wish to do so. The transition package reflects the Government's commitment that workers remain at the heart of this transformation, and that drivers continue to have good opportunities in the future industry, including new roles created in the AV sector.

4.           The Government recognises that career transitions can be challenging, particularly with the opportunity costs of stepping away from driving to attend training. The package has been designed to offer drivers practical, accessible support that meets them where they are.

5.           The package comprises three key components tailored to drivers' needs, namely i) Career Conversion Programmes, ii) New Training Incentive Scheme, and iii) Enhanced Outreach and Career Guidance. Together, they seek to equip the workforce holistically with in-demand skills and capabilities in a changing economy.

Career Conversion Programmes

6.           First, drivers looking to transition into new roles will have more structured pathways to do so through Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs) offered by the Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA). The CCPs enable individuals to be employed in new roles, whilst receiving on-the-job the upskilling that is needed for these new roles. At the same time, CCPs help employers to tap on a wider talent pool, including drivers who bring with them varied experiences, skills and competencies. During the reskilling period, CCPs provide employers with up to 90 per cent salary support.

7.           SWDA, in collaboration with industry partners, MOT and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), will launch a new CCP for AV Specialists to equip drivers with industry-relevant technical and operational skills for roles in the AV sector, such as safety operators, remote operators and fleet management positions. GrabAcademy, Grab’s training arm, has been onboarded as a registered training provider with SWDA to deliver the training. Additionally, drivers interested in pursuing careers in the public transport sector can look forward to a new pathway under the CCP for Public Transport Professionals, which will provide them a customised route to becoming Bus Captains.

8.           Both the new CCP for AV Specialists and the new pathway under the CCP for Public Transport Professionals will be launched in Q3 2026. The Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) will administer the aforementioned CCPs. More details will be provided by SWDA when ready.

9.           Drivers who are interested to move into other sectors may also tap on other CCPs, the Mid-Career Pathways Programme and the SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme.

New Training Incentive Scheme

10.        Second, MOT and LTA will pilot a new training incentive scheme focused on short-form courses from January 2027, which will run for three years. Drivers can tap on this incentive to acquire new skills and have an early taste of reskilling, before committing to longer-term programmes such as the CCPs.

11.        Eligible drivers can choose from around 2,000 eligible SWDA-supported courses to attend and receive a training incentive of $20 per hour, up to a cap of 80 hours during this pilot period. This amounts to a training incentive of up to $1,600 per driver, which will defray some of the vehicle rental fees and income foregone while drivers undergo training.

Enhanced Outreach and Career Guidance

12.        Third, the Government and NTUC will step up outreach and career guidance efforts to raise awareness among drivers of the support measures available and empower them to make informed decisions on their careers. Drivers can attend various career fairs and roadshows, and look forward to a new resource page launched on SWDA’s website, go.gov.sg/av-transition-package, to easily access information and resources curated for them.

13.        Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of National Development, Ms Sun Xueling said, “Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) are a part of Singapore's transport future to complement and enhance our transport network. While the introduction of AVs will be a gradual process to give our commuters and drivers time to adapt, we are providing support to our taxi and private hire drivers early to ensure that our drivers stay ahead of technology changes, are well-equipped to seize new job opportunities and can explore career options with confidence. The manpower transition package is one of several moves we are putting in place for our point-to-point drivers. Our transport workforce will always be at the core of our transport services and we will work closely with industry and the unions to support our workers as jobs evolve.”

14.        NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Advisor to the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and the National Taxi Association (NTA), Ms Yeo Wan Ling, said, “Our taxi and private hire car drivers are stakeholders in Singapore's transport future. NTUC worked closely with our tripartite partners to shape these support measures, so drivers can prepare early for the wider rollout of autonomous vehicles (AVs). We recognise that drivers forgo income and take on costs such as rental when they go for training, and this support helps them make that commitment. What matters most is that this leads to reasonable and fair jobs, and that AVs open up not just new roles but new business models and livelihoods for our drivers.”

15.        Minster of State, Ministry of Manpower, Mr Dinesh Vasu noted, “Technology has and will continue to reshape jobs. Whilst not every job will remain the same, our commitment to every worker will. We are committed to equipping every worker with the skills and confidence to thrive in an evolving economy. Together with our tripartite partners, the Government is putting in place practical support to help taxi and private hire drivers take charge of their careers and to make career switches if they wish to do so. These include career guidance services, skills upgrading programmes and Career Conversion Programmes that support workers at every step of their career journeys.”

16.        Managing Director of Grab Singapore, Alejandro Osorio said, “Grab is glad to support the development of the new manpower transition package. We have long been committed to enabling lifelong learning through GrabAcademy, our training arm, and over the years, we've seen many of our driver partners successfully tap into our training programmes to broaden their skillsets or transition into alternative roles. This includes AV roles that have emerged as we develop a hybrid network, where autonomous technology complements our driver network to enhance connectivity. As such, we are certain our driver partners will appreciate the new manpower initiative, as it provides them with practical resources to help them balance training with their daily livelihoods, and more channels to explore different pathways and capture upcoming opportunities.

17.        Mr Michael Huang, Head of Singapore Point-to-Point Mobility Business, ComfortDelGro, said: “Our drivers have always been central to ComfortDelGro’s business, and we welcome the Government’s move to strengthen career transition support for drivers. Every driver’s circumstances and aspirations are different, and having access to skills training, career guidance and transition support will help them make informed decisions about their future. As a diversified organisation, we have offered our drivers opportunities to continue their careers with us, whether in point-to-point services or in other roles across the Group. At the same time, initiatives like these give drivers greater confidence and resilience as they navigate different stages of their working lives."

18.        Drivers have always been at the heart of Singapore's transport story. As the industry evolves, the Government remains committed to walking alongside every taxi and PHC driver – providing early support so that each driver can thrive in the future of mobility. We thank our tripartite partners for their close collaboration with the Government in developing this manpower transition package that enables taxi and private hire car drivers to stay ahead of change.