TfL plans new ‘Bakerloop’ express

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The buses feature Underground-style seating moquette. TfL

New express services will build on the success of Transport for London’s Superloop routes

Transport for London (TfL) has launched the consultation for a proposed new ‘Bakerloop’ express bus service. The consultation was launched at an event in south London, and follows a commitment by the Mayor of London to introduce a new ‘Bakerloop’ service, named after the Bakerloo underground line, to enable people to travel between key south London destinations and beyond more quickly and easily.

Working alongside local councils and partners, the plans for the brand-new bus service would largely mirror the proposed Bakerloo line extension route, running between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle and Lewisham via Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, Lewisham station and Lewisham town centre. The route will help demonstrate the opportunities presented by the Bakerloo line extension to better connect people in southeast London, says TfL, and would build on the success of the Superloop express bus project. The public is now being invited to provide feedback on the proposed bus stops for the new route during a consultation that will run until 14 March. The route, which would eventually be known as the BL1, could start in autumn 2025, depending on the outcome of the consultation, says TfL.

As well as the new BL1 route, a number of express routes are also planned as part of the Superloop Expansion programme: Subject
to consultation, two other routes forming part of the initial phase of the expansion include the SL11, which would run between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich, supporting regeneration plans in Thamesmead, and SL12, which would run between Rainham, Ferry Lane and Gants Hill, extending the Superloop network further into outer London.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “Last year, I made a commitment to Londoners to introduce the new Bakerloop bus route, which would run between Waterloo and Lewisham. Today, I’m pleased to announce that TfL is launching this consultation as the first step towards delivering on this commitment, building on the continued success of the Superloop express bus services.

TfL

“The new proposed route will mirror the route of the potential Bakerloo line extension and better connect people around southeast London, while also helping to demonstrate how much the capital needs the Bakerloo line extension. This vital infrastructure would not only provide better transport links and upgrade the existing line, but also unlock thousands of new homes and jobs, boosting the economy and building a better, fairer and more prosperous London for all.”

London Transport Commissioner Andy Lord added: “We know from the success of the Superloop that express bus services are providing a hugely valuable way for Londoners to travel. The proposed ‘Bakerloop’ would enable us to improve public transport connectivity and capacity between south-east London and central London by delivering some of the same benefits that the Bakerloo line extension would. Feedback from customers is hugely important to us and I would urge everyone to respond to the consultation. This will enable us to create a bus service which benefits everyone travelling in southeast London and beyond.”

Mayor of Lewisham Brenda Dacres said: “It’s excellent to see the Mayor’s investment in additional public transport service for south east and Lewisham taking shape. This is great progress, although the Bakerloop bus is not an alternative to the Bakerloo Line Upgrade and Extension, a major infrastructure project that’s key to unlocking the home, jobs and economic growth London and the UK needs. We will continue to work closely with the Mayor, TfL and the Government to find funding solutions to finally get this vital project moving.”