What is TfL’s Superloop bus in London? How it works

Londoners will be well aware that the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has been sharing plans to improve travel across the region. 

It comes as the expansion of the ULEZ across all of Greater London will see many look to use their vehicles less to avoid the daily £12.50 charge. 

That’s where Transports for Londons (TfL) Superloop bus service comes into play. 

The network will create 10 express bus routes and will also improve connections and journey times in the outer London town centres. 

What is the TfL Superloop?

As described by TfL, the Superloop is a “network of limited-stop express bus routes that circle the entire capital.”

NEWS: The proposed Superloop will be a gamechanger for travel around outer London, delivering quicker links to transport hubs, town centres, schools and hospitals. Londoners will start seeing the new buses on the roads from tomorrow and start benefiting from improved services. pic.twitter.com/hM7sRWHphN

— Mayor’s Press Office (@LDN_pressoffice) July 14, 2023

Creating the 10 express routes will help outer London areas as well as offering “even more alternatives to private cars.”

The buses on the superloop are expected to make customer improvements, with better customer information, USB charging and priority seat moquette.

The complete superloop route is expected to be in full service by Spring 2024. 

What are the routes on TfL’s Superloop?

The ten routes that will run are as follows: 

• Route SL1 – North Finchley to Walthamstow
• Route SL2 – Walthamstow Central to North Woolwich
• Route SL3 – Thamesmead to Bromley
• Route SL4 – Canary Wharf to Grove Park
• Route SL5 – Bromley to Croydon
• Route SL6 – Russell Square to West Croydon (peak services only)
• Route SL7 – Croydon to Heathrow Airport
• Route SL8 – Uxbridge to White City
• Route SL9 – Heathrow Airport to Harrow
• Route SL10 – Harrow to North Finchley

The Superloop map. (Image: TfL)

What changes will TfL’s Superloop cause?

As there will be new and improved services on the superloop, a number of current bus routes will be impacted. 

Some have already taken place with Route 607 now the SL8, running between White City and Uxbridge. 

From July 29, route X68 will become SL6. 

Whilst on Saturday, August 19, buses on route SL8 will run earlier in the morning and later at night.

Other changes have been confirmed but at the time of writing, have no confirmed date, these are: 

• Route X26 become route SL7 
• Route X140 becoming route SL9
• Route X183 becoming route SL10 

You can find out more information via the TfL website.