Superloop buses will form an orbital route around London by spring 2024

The Superloop bus network will form an orbital route around London’s suburbs by next spring, it was confirmed on Friday after two new routes were approved.

Transport for London said SL2 between Walthamstow Central and North Woolwich and SL3 between Thamesmead and Bromley had both been approved following public consultation.

Both will be launched before the mayoral election in May – when the SL5 route between Bromley and Croydon is also expected to start running.

TfL said on Friday it was “still considering the next steps for SL5”, despite being consulted on at the same time as SL2 and SL3. Currently, two of the seven sections of the circular loop are in place – the SL7, which links West Croydon and Heathrow, and the SL9, which links Harrow to the airport.

In addition, two of the three ‘spokes’ – radial routes linking London to central London – have been launched: the SL6 between West Croydon and Russell Square and the SL8, which links Uxbridge and White City.

The SL10 between Harrow and North Finchley and the SL1 between North Finchley and Walthamstow are due to be launched before Christmas.

The only missing piece of the puzzle is SL4, which will link Grove Park and Canary Wharf when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.

The limited-stop Superloop network, which improves some existing express routes and adds new services, was announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan in March in a bid to quell the rebellion against the Ulez expansion in London and provide an alternative to car travel.

The SL2 route has been amended to add an extra stop near Gallions Reach Shopping Center in Beckton. SL3 will run through Sidcup.

Over 800 responses were received in the SL2 consultation. A total of 63% of respondents said it would make their journey more convenient, while 69% said it would make their journey faster.

A total of 55% of respondents said they could use the SL2 to replace a private car journey, but 26% of people said it would make no difference.

One in four respondents said they would use SL2 a few times a week, and another 40% said they would use it a few times a month.

TfL has received a number of complaints about the lack of service to Havering and Romford.

Some people have commented on the lack of interchange between SL2 and SL3 at Thamesmead and London City Airport. The airport said it was a “missed opportunity” to improve connections.

Waltham Forest Council said a Superloop connection was needed at Highams Park and Chingford and an alternative route should start at Tottenham Hale.

London TravelWatch said it was “disappointed” the new routes would not be implemented earlier than spring 2024 to help people affected by the Ulez extension.

TfL appears to have overcome problems with a lack of parking for Superloop buses at Walthamstow Central bus station.

New or refurbished double-deckers will run every 12 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes in the evening and on Sundays.

TfL said responses to the consultation suggested many passengers would use it instead of their car. The Superloop – which features retro Tube-style branding – is being funded by the Mayor’s £6m to improve London’s bus services.

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “The two new Superloop services will provide much faster journeys between busy transport hubs, city centres, hospitals and schools across London, as well as more travel options which connects to numerous other bus routes.

“The SL2 and SL3 will join current Superloop services with a new look for buses, also offering cleaner, cost-effective and sustainable options for customers.

“The SL1 and SL10 express bus services will also be launched 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 our customers can take advantage of maximum of all our time. -improving the bus network.”

Michael Roberts, chief executive of London TravelWatch, said: “These orbital express services are vital, especially now that Ulez has expanded.

“It is very important that these Superloop buses have priority on the roads right from the start to avoid getting stuck in traffic.”