SINGAPORE — A recent report has raised alarm over the potential for remote control of electric public buses in Singapore, specifically those manufactured by Yutong Group. However, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has clarified that none of the 20 Yutong buses currently on the roads can be controlled remotely.
Clarification from the LTA
Responding to queries after Norwegian operator Ruter’s report suggested Yutong could turn off the buses remotely, the LTA assured the public that these vehicles do not support over-the-air software updates or any remote-control functionality. These buses have been operational since 2020 without any reported issues.
Yutong’s Defence
Yutong has categorically denied allegations of remote access, emphasising that the only data collected from the buses is used for maintenance and performance optimisation. According to the company, such access is “technically impossible” and all vehicle data for the European Union is securely stored at an Amazon Web Services data centre in Frankfurt, protected by stringent encryption measures.
International Context
The concerns arise as Ruter plans to enhance its cybersecurity protocols following tests that indicated potential vulnerabilities in Yutong buses. Other countries, such as the UK and Denmark, are also investigating the remote control capabilities of Chinese-manufactured buses.
Compliance and Safety Measures
The LTA insists that all electric buses procured must comply with international regulations focusing on secure design and risk management throughout the vehicle lifecycle. They have held discussions with Yutong and other bus manufacturers, including BYD and Zhongtong, to ensure safety and data protection measures are rigorous.
- 20 Yutong electric buses operating in Singapore since 2020
- No remote control or software updates supported
- Data collection limited to maintenance and performance