ComfortDelGro to invest over S$200 million to modernise S'pore's driving education

Transport operator ComfortDelGro announced on Mar. 11 that it will be investing over S$200 million over the next 30 years to modernise and expand driving education in Singapore.

The group said the investment will support new training facilities at ComfortDelGro Driving Centre (CDC), as well as the adoption of advanced technologies and operational enhancements.

These measures aim to meet sustained demand for high-quality, school-based driver training, and to address the decline in the number of private driving instructors.

"The investment reflects ComfortDelGro’s confidence in Singapore’s long-term transport needs and reinforces its leadership in the public and private transport sectors," the company said.

Next-Generation Driving Centre (NGDC)

The investment includes the S$38 million site at Lorong Bistari that CDC secured on a 30-year lease to develop and operate a Next-Generation Driving Centre (NGDC).

The new facility is set to replace the existing Bukit Batok Driving Centre by 2030.

The 24,889 sqm site can be developed up to a maximum gross floor area of 72,500 sqm and will house driving circuits and other related facilities.

It was previously announced that the NGDC will feature simulator technology for both training and testing purposes, as well as intelligent driving circuits equipped with advanced sensors and real-time monitoring systems to assess learners’ proficiency and ensure consistency in training.

According to ComfortDelGro, the technology will reduce the reliance on instructors, enhance productivity and support a shift towards an increased use of instructor-less and tester-less training environments.

The new centre will also expand training capacity with nursery circuits, dedicated heavy vehicle training for Class 4 and Class 5 licences, simulators, classrooms, as well as a road safety gallery.

"These enhancements are expected to improve training quality, strengthen operational efficiency, and double CDC’s market share in Singapore," said the group, adding that the project also serves to enhance the driving centre's financial performance and boost the company's Other Businesses segment.

The CEO of ComfortDelGro driving centre. Vincent Tan, affirmed that NGDC will provide "high-quality, technology-enabled training" that allows for more efficient and objective assessments, while also contributing to safer roads in Singapore.

Meanwhile, Cheng Siak Kian, Managing Director/Group CEO of ComfortDelGro, described the investment as "important", noting that it would help increase the number of drivers in Singapore’s transport ecosystem.

Cheng added that it also "reflects [their] strong confidence in Singapore and [their] commitment to continually reinvest, innovate, and build capabilities here."

Operations at NGDC are expected to be rolled out gradually, to maintain continuity and accessibility for learners.

Top photo from ComfortDelGro