New Superloop buses for Harrow, North Finchley, Walthamstow

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) have launched the two new express bus services – which travel around the capital rather than through the centre – to encourage Londoners to travel more sustainably. The SL10 route between Harrow and North Finchley launched on November 25, and a further route, the SL1 between North Finchley and Walthamstow Central, launches this Saturday (December 9). The Superloop is a network of 10 express routes in outer London connecting town centres, hospitals, schools and transport hubs and is a key part of the Mayor’s commitment to improving the bus network in outer London to enable more people to use public transport and maximise the benefits of the London-wide ULEZ expansion.

The SL1 connecting North Finchley and Walthamstow Central will give people another way to travel between Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest, as well as providing extra bus capacity. The Superloop SL10 bus is fitted with USB ports and connects to multiple other bus stops and train stations in north London (Image: TfL) The bus will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays and will interchange with 48 bus routes and four train lines.

The buses will have USB ports which will be useful if phones are running low on battery. The SL10 electric express route from North Finchley to Harrow is also fitted with USB sockets. The SL10 runs alongside part of the 183 route between Harrow and Hendon, and part of the 125 route between Hendon and North Finchley.

It will run every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays and give customers an easy connection to 38 other bus routes and seven train lines. The full extent of the Superloop is due to be complete by spring 2024, when the SL2, SL3 and SL5 enter service. The SL4, which runs from Canary Wharf to Grove Park, will open in 2025.

Plans for the proposed SL5 route from Bromley to Croydon was confirmed on December 5 following consultation. Cllr Alan Schneiderman, Barnet Council’s cabinet member for environment & climate change, said the new buses will mean “faster, affordable, and sustainable travel” between Enfield and Waltham Forest, North Finchley, Hendon and Harrow. He added: “The routes will also serve new developments at Brent Cross and Colindale making travel across Barnet on public transport easier for even more people.”

London Mayor Sadiq Khan boards a Superloop bus, 10 of which are planned to surround the capital (Image: TfL) Sadiq Khan said it was “fantastic” to see the Superloop encouraging more people onto London’s bus network. “It’s proving a real game-changer,” he added. “Now people travelling in outer London are getting another boost before Christmas with two brand new routes coming into service, making it easier to see friends and family, or to visit local town centres or services.”

Louise Cheeseman, TfL’s director of buses, said: “The express bus network was made with customers in mind, giving them quicker and more sustainable options when it comes to public transport in outer London.”