More outer Londoners will have access to Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Superloop express bus network after the operator confirmed it will introduce two more routes by spring 2024.
The new routes, which recently underwent public consultation, are the SL2, which will connect Walthamstow Central and North Woolwich, and the SL3, which will connect Thamesmead and Bromley.
TfL’s Superloop network has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s CiTTi Awards – the Public Transport Award and the Transport Planning Award.
The Superloop has been designed by TfL to enhance public transport provision in outer London, especially following the London-wide ULEZ expansion, which came into effect on 29 August.
The first Superloop bus (SL8) was launched in July and there are currently four Superloop services in operation.
The SL1 and SL10 will launch later this year and the loop will be complete by spring 2024, subject to consultation, with the exception of route SL4, which will start when the Silvertown tunnel opens in 2025.
The new SL2 express route will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays, running alongside part of 123 bus route between Walthamstow and Ilford.
The new SL3 express route will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays.
According to TfL, the vast majority of feedback from both consultations showed support for the Superloop, with 63% of people responding that the new SL2 express bus service would make their journey more convenient, while 67% of people responding felt the SL3 would do the same.
Similarly, 69% of respondents said that the SL2 would make journeys quicker, while 70% of people responding to the consultation said that the SL3 would improve journey times.
Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “The two new Superloop services will provide significantly quicker journeys between busy transport hubs, town centres, hospitals and schools across outer London, as well as offering more travel options connecting to numerous other bus routes.
“The SL2 and SL3 will join the current Superloop services with a new look and feel to the buses, as well as providing cleaner, cost-effective and sustainable options for customers.
“The SL1 and SL10 express bus services will also be launching later this year, and we are busy working with operators and other partners behind the scenes to introduce these new routes as quickly as possible, so that our customers can make the most of our ever-improving bus network.”
The Superloop is regarded as key element of TfL achieving its goal of ensuring that more than 95% of Londoners live within 400m of a bus stop.
Innovations and achievements in public transport and transport planning will be highlighted and celebrated at the second annual CiTTi Awards on 21 November 2023 at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. Visit www.cittiawards.co.uk to learn more about this unmissable event for the UK’s transportation sector – and to book your table today!