Superloop buses launched as network’s full loop to be in service by Spring 2024
- Londoners will see Superloop buses in place from 15 July with the network’s four existing routes to be renumbered over the summer
- All routes that circle the capital and make up the loop expected to be on the ground and in service by Spring 2024, subject to consultation
- Superloop buses to feature improvements including better customer information, USB charging and priority seat moquettes
- The Superloop is a transformative network of existing and proposed express bus routes which will improve connections and journey times between key outer London town centres, stations and transport hubs
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today announced the launch of the first phase of the proposed Superloop as the four existing express services on the network will be renumbered over the summer, with customers benefitting from improved and increased services. The first Superloop buses will be in operation from tomorrow, 15 July.
It has also been confirmed today that, subject to consultation, the aim is for the complete loop of the Superloop network to be in service by Spring 2024, with consultations launching on three more routes this month.
Londoners taking the proposed Superloop will be able to make the most of customer improvements such as better customer information, USB charging and priority seat moquette.
The full proposed Superloop network consists of existing bus routes, which are being given new route numbers and branding, and newly proposed bus routes, which TfL is consulting on. The network, which will link together communities and provide simpler, better journeys between town centres around London, will see a further £6m invested in improving the bus network in outer London, and could add up to 4 million yearly bus kilometres to the network.
The proposed new routes are numbered sequentially in a clockwise order and the Superloop brand is a new design based on the iconic London Buses roundel and bus livery to ensure easy identification of the new service.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “The proposed Superloop will be a gamechanger for travel around outer London, delivering quicker links to transport hubs, town centres, schools and hospitals, and I’m so excited for Londoners to start seeing the Superloop on the roads from tomorrow and benefiting from the increased and improved services.”
“I am pleased that we can confirm today that the aim is for the Superloop routes which circle the capital tobe fully in service by Spring 2024, delivering on my promise to improve transport links in outer London. These new routes will help tackle our city’s toxic air and build a better, greener and cleaner London for all.”
The limited-stop express bus routes circle the entire capital - connecting outer London town centres, railway stations, hospitals and transport hubs, more quickly. Supported by funding from the Mayor of London, the proposed Superloop is a key part of the Mayor’s commitment to improving the bus network in outer London and could add more than four million additional kilometres per year to London's bus network.
TfL recently consulted on a proposed route between Harrow and North Finchley, which would be SL10 (previously X183) and it is currently consulting on SL1 (previously X34) which will run North Finchley and Walthamstow. Consultations on routes SL2, SL3, and SL5 will follow in the coming weeks.
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Notes to editors
- TfL is ensuring customers are informed of the changes to routes with branded posters and timetables at bus stops and bus stations, in addition to updated printed maps. Regular users of the routes will also receive an email before the changes take place and a reminder a few days before.
- TfL is working to increase bus services across outer London. This includes proposals that ware being consulted on an increase of almost 500,000 kilometres per year in bus services in Harrow, Barnet, Brent, Havering and Wandsworth,
- Subject to the outcome of the consultations and further planning, the new routes would be launched in spring 2024 with the exception of route SL4 which would be launched when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.