TfL Superloop: Sadiq Khan announces two new London bus routes

Two new express bus routes will be added to the new Superloop network following a public consultation, Transport for London (TfL) has announced.

The SL1 and SL10 - will connect Harrow and North Finchley, and North Finchley and Walthamstow with plans to start services on the two routes later this year.

The SL1 will run alongside part of the existing route 221 between North Finchley and New Southgate, and part of route 34 between Arnos Grove and Walthamstow.

TfL says it will connect with nearly 50 bus routes across north and northeast London.

The SL10 will run alongside part of the existing route 183 between Harrow and Hendon, and part of route 125 between Hendon and North Finchley.

TfL says the route will allow customers using the new SL10 service to connect to nearly 40 other bus routes in the area, as well as rail services at Harrow-on-the-Hill, Kenton, Northwick Park, Kingsbury, Hendon (Thameslink), Hendon Central, and Finchley Central.

Both services will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes during evenings and Sundays.

TfL has confirmed that subject to consultation, the complete loop of the Superloop network will be in service by spring 2024, with the exception of route SL4, which would be launched when the Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.

The 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 is part of a £6m investment by the mayor to compensate for the impact of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion, which started on August 29.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Londoners can already ride on Superloop buses and I can’t wait for these two brand new routes to join them, providing quicker links between transport hubs, town centres, schools and hospitals in outer London.

“It’s great to see large numbers of Londoners saying these new routes could replace private car journeys, offering even more sustainable transport options and helping to build a better, fairer and greener London for all.”

Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “These two new services will be a significant addition to the bus network, providing additional bus services in busy transport hubs and locations across the north London area, as well as offering more travel options connecting to numerous other bus routes.

“As well as a new look and feel of the buses, the new SL1 and SL10 express bus services will provide cleaner, cost-effective, sustainable options for those making journeys in outer London.”

Tory critics have dubbed the Superloop initiative the “Superflop”.

Nick Rogers, the City Hall Conservatives transport spokesman, said: “Sadiq Khan’s Superloop announcement is a Superflop, amounting to nothing more than a repackaging of existing routes and vague promises that will not be delivered before his Ulez expansion hits Londoners.

“This is a microscopic level of investment. The mayor’s rushed plans have been thrown together in a panic, and do nothing to address the devastating impact of his ULEZ tax.”