A groundbreaking new bus route, the Superloop SL11, is set to launch this weekend, providing a vital link between Abbey Wood, Woolwich, and North Greenwich. This initiative comes as part of a broader plan to enhance public transportation in London while waiting for the completion of the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) extension.
During the first journey of the SL11, Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized that the City Hall is eager to improve public transport access now, rather than delaying improvements until the DLR extension is finalized. "We are committed to expanding the Superloop express bus network further, with plans for the SL12 connecting Gants Hill to Rainham, and we are currently exploring the SL13 route which will link Hendon to Ealing Broadway. It’s clear that enhanced public transport is essential, especially in outer London," he stated in an interview with MyLondon.
Thamesmead, where the SL11 will operate, is undergoing one of London’s most significant regeneration efforts, with plans for 15,000 new homes on the Thamesmead Waterfront site. Notably, the government recently identified Thamesmead as one of 12 potential 'new towns' aimed at meeting national housing targets.
The SL11 is poised to replace the daytime service previously provided by route 472, offering increased frequency with buses arriving every six minutes during weekdays and Saturdays. Additionally, a new night service, known as the N472, will run every 30 minutes overnight.
Mayor Khan expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I'm delighted to introduce the SL11, our latest Superloop express bus route, which connects communities from North Greenwich through Thamesmead and Woolwich to Abbey Wood."
The Superloop network originally began with the SL8, which operates between Uxbridge and White City. This was followed by other routes such as the SL6 (West Croydon to Russell Square) and SL7 (West Croydon to Heathrow) in August 2023, and the SL9, which connects Heathrow to Harrow. With the introduction of the SL11, the total distance covered by the Superloop network now reaches an impressive 135 miles.
A detailed map showing the SL11 route alongside existing Superloop services and additional routes has been released by Transport for London (TfL). Mayor Khan noted, "By replacing the previous 472 service with this faster and more direct option, we are supporting early regeneration efforts in Thamesmead and enhancing transport connections in an area that has historically lacked proper service."
In an exciting offer, TfL announced that all rides on the new SL11 will be free for the first week, from January 24 to January 30, allowing Londoners to experience the convenience of this new route firsthand. "As Mayor, I remain dedicated to exploring ways we can continually improve London’s bus network to create a better, fairer city for everyone," Khan added.
Lorna Murphy, TfL's Director of Buses, shared her excitement about the new service, stating, "We are thrilled to launch another Superloop express service for Londoners. The SL11 will not only enhance travel times but also provide quicker connections between the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground, and National Rail services. We encourage everyone to take advantage of our free travel offer during the first week. Our team will keep monitoring the travel patterns to ensure that the network aligns well with local demand."
Passengers who relied on certain stops along the former route 472 that are not included in the SL11 may need to switch buses for their journeys. Plans for additional Superloop routes are currently under consideration for various areas across east, west, and south London.
