New Superloop Bus Route Set to Boost Travel in South East London

A new Superloop express bus service is set to launch this weekend, offering faster connections between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich and marking another expansion of London’s outer borough transport network. The SL11 route will operate as a limited stop service via Thamesmead and Woolwich, designed to reduce journey times and improve access to key rail and underground links including the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway and London Underground. To encourage early use, passengers will be able to travel for free during the first week of operation, provided they still tap in using Oyster or contactless payment. Transport officials say the new service will deliver more frequent journeys than the existing daytime route it replaces, with buses running every six minutes during weekdays and Saturdays, significantly increasing capacity for commuters and residents.

The SL11 replaces the daytime section of the former 472 route and introduces a new night service to maintain overnight connectivity. The night route will operate every 30 minutes, ensuring continuous access between south east London neighbourhoods and major transport hubs. Officials say the changes are aimed at supporting long term regeneration plans in Thamesmead, an area that has historically experienced limited public transport options. The new route is also aligned with wider proposals to extend light rail services further into the area, reinforcing the role of bus links as a foundation for future development. While some stops previously served by the 472 will no longer be directly covered, alternative frequent routes remain available, and passengers can use the Hopper fare to make unlimited bus journeys within one hour for a single fare.

The launch follows a public consultation which showed strong support for the new service, with many respondents saying it would be more convenient and deliver quicker journeys. The SL11 becomes the latest addition to the Superloop network, which has already carried tens of millions of passengers since its introduction. With this expansion, the network will span more than 130 miles across outer London, providing orbital connections that reduce reliance on central routes. Transport leaders say the Superloop model is helping to close long standing gaps in London’s transport map by offering faster and more direct travel between outer boroughs. Further routes are already under review across east, west and south London, signalling continued investment in bus based solutions to meet growing demand and support regeneration in underserved areas.