Two new Superloop routes launched by Transport for London

Credit: Transport for London

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, and Transport for London (TfL) have announced that two brand new express bus services are being launched in outer London as latest ridership figures show that demand on all Superloop routes has increased above the network average level, according to new data.

The first of the two new routes, the SL10 between Harrow and North Finchley, is now in operation, and a further route, the SL1 between North Finchley and Walthamstow Central, will launch on 9 December 2023.

The Superloop is a network of express routes in outer London connecting town centres, hospitals, schools and transport hubs, and is a key part of the Mayor’s commitment to improving the bus network in outer London to maximise the benefits of the London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion.

The SL1, connecting North Finchley and Walthamstow Central, will give people more transport options to move between key locations such as transport hubs and town centres in Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest, as well as providing extra bus capacity on the busiest parts of the route.

The SL10 is an electric express route from North Finchley to Harrow that is also fitted with USBs, which launched on 25 November 2023. The SL10 runs alongside part of the 183 route between Harrow and Hendon, the busiest part of this route, and part of the 125 route between Hendon and North Finchley, which is expected to see more customers in the future due to the Brent Cross and Colindale developments.

Credit: Transport for London

New TfL data shows that customers are already taking advantage of the Superloop network, as the data so far shows demand on all Superloop routes has increased above the network average level:

• The average weekly demand on route SL7 in October 2023 saw a 62% change relative to June 2023 (before the SL7 was rebranded)
• The hours of operation on SL8 were increased at launch, and the average weekly demand on SL8 in October 2023 saw a 15% change relative to June 2023 (before the route was rebranded)
• Although SL6 and SL9 had unchanged service levels, there was a 16% change for October 2023 relative to June 2023, and 3% for SL9 for the same months 
• Frequency on route SL7 (Heathrow Central and West Croydon) has doubled from two buses per hour to four buses per hour when it launched in August 2023, leading to an increase in passenger usage.

The full loop of the Superloop will be complete by Spring 2024, as the SL2, SL3 and SL5 enter service. The SL4, which will run from Canary Wharf to Grove Park, will open in 2025. Plans for the proposed SL5 route from Bromley to Croydon have also been confirmed following consultation.

More than 95% of Londoners now live within 400m of a bus stop. In addition to the Superloop, TfL continues to pursue enhancements to the bus network in partnership with London’s boroughs. The Mayor’s Hopper Fare means that customers can take unlimited journeys within an hour for just £1.75, meaning that customers can save money on multi-route journeys, and encouraging Londoners to travel more sustainably.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “It is fantastic to see the Superloop already encouraging more people onto London’s bus network. It’s proving a real game-changer. Now, people travelling in outer London are getting another boost before Christmas, with two brand new routes coming into service, making it easier to see friends and family, or to visit local town centres or services. I’m delighted to see so many Londoners benefitting from the Superloop so far, and there’s much more to come.”

Louise Cheeseman, Transport for London’s Director of Buses, said: “It is great to see that customers are benefiting from the Superloop. The express bus network was made with customers in mind, giving them quicker and more sustainable options when it comes to public transport in outer London. We are pleased to see that the Superloop services that are already part of the network are a firm favourite for those who need to get around the capital, and to be able to offer Londoners even more new instantly recognisable routes.

“The launch of the SL1 means that the majority of the Superloop network will be in operation before the end of [2023], connecting key outer London town centres and transport hubs in the north west and the south west, making transport even easier for people. We are always working to improve our bus network, and we will continue our work to bring the rest of the Superloop routes into service as quickly as possible,” she concluded.