A new wave of Superloop bus services could be launched as early as this year, Transport for London’s (TfL) boss has confirmed.
Following on from the original Superloop network of express bus routes launched in 2023, mayor Sir Sadiq Khan promised in his re-election manifesto last year to launch ‘Superloop 2’.
The mayor said this would mean effectively doubling the size of the current network by adding another ten services, including a ‘Bakerloop’ bus which will follow the route of the planned Bakerloo line extension from Elephant and Castle down to Lewisham.
In an interview with the Standard this week, TfL commissioner Andy Lord said he hopes to see the first Superloop 2 route launched before the end of 2025 - but a round of consultation would have to take place first.
The original Superloop comprised seven services which joined up to form a gigantic circle through London’s suburbs - launched with the aim of providing better connections between town centres across outer London.
A further three routes were also included as part of that first wave, though one is yet to launch as it will make use of the Silvertown Tunnel, which won’t open for another two months. That route - known as SL4 - will start in Canary Wharf and pass through the new Tunnel under the Thames to reach Blackheath, Lee and Grove Park railway stations.
During last year’s mayoral election, Sir Sadiq’s campaign team published a draft map showing where the Superloop 2 routes could go.
The proposals include connections from Leytonstone to South Havering, Streatham to Eltham, and North Greenwich to Thamesmead, among others.
Asked when TfL will begin consulting on the new services, Mr Lord said: “We’ll be doing that shortly. I can’t give you any details at the minute, but we’re very excited about the next routes.
“The Superloop has seen a huge benefit in terms of the increase in ridership, increasing people’s awareness of our bus services, and we’re really excited about what the next phase can deliver for the city.”
He added: “I’m hoping that we’ll perhaps be able to get the first one launched by the end of the year. Of course, our next Superloop route will start with the Silvertown Tunnel opening in April, and then we’ll see what we can do as quickly as possible after that.”
The full list of proposed Superloop 2 routes is:
