Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that it will be pressing ahead with plans to introduce two new express bus routes to the Superloop network, following a public consultation and the publication of reports into the consultations. The two new faster services, numbered SL1 and SL10, will connect Harrow and North Finchley, and North Finchley and Walthamstow and will be the next Superloop routes to be added to the network, with plans to start services on the two routes later this year. In a consultation, 73% of respondents said they would be likely to use the SL10 to replace a journey made by private car, reports TfL.
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. It will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes during evenings and Sundays. Feedback from the SL1 consultation was positive, says TfL, with 79% of people who responded saying that a new express bus service between North Finchley and Walthamstow would make their journey more convenient. 76% said they thought the proposals would make their journey quicker and 71% said they would be likely to use the express bus service to replace a journey made by private car. Following feedback received in the public consultation, the SL1 will also serve Chingford.
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. This service will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes during evenings and Sundays. Routes SL1 and SL10 will connect at North Finchley with same stop interchange in both directions. Interchange will also be available between routes SL9 and SL10 at Harrow Bus Station.
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, added: “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. We’ll be working closely with operators and other partners to introduce these new routes as quickly as possible, to improve public transport options and maximise the benefits of the recent expansion of ULEZ.”
