All south London Superloop routes to see electric double-decker buses this year
So here’s something that’s perhaps not exactly a surprise to some but only just occurred to me in recent days; all three Superloop routes running around south London from Thamesmead to Heathrow (well ok, a bit in the west) will be operated by electric double-deckers by the end of 2025.
I’ve been keeping tabs on Superloop routes from the beginning and only twigged when covering TfL finally cutting back trees to allow double-deckers on SL5 between Bromley and Croydon.
That then means that these routes go to full electric operation this coming year:
- SL3: Thamesmead to Bromley: Currently New Routemasters but a contract awarded in 2024 sees a change this year
- SL5: Bromley to Croydon: Currently 10+ year old single-deckers with the route not only growing an upper deck (and a bout time too) but becoming electric.
- SL7: Croydon to Heathrow: Currently using 10+ year old double-deckers this will too see new electric double-deckers this coming year
If you’re wondering about the gaps in the “loop” it’s because SL4 and SL6 aren’t “circular” routes avoiding inner London making a bit of a mockery of the Superloop concept of radial routes and numbering scheme.
You what?
SL4 launches in April from Grove Park to Canary Wharf.
SL6 runs from Croydon to Russell Square at peak time only.
Both too will see electric buses introduced this year.
Meanwhile to confuse the numbering scheme yet further SL11 has just been announced from Abbey Wood to North Greenwich station and is set to replace the 472. That does plug the missing Superloop gap between Thamesmead and Woolwich where people can cross the Thames via the foot tunnel or ferry to reach SL2 but makes a further pig’s ear of route logic.
As the map above shows any sort of simple idea regarding a clockwork numbering scheme starting at SL1 at the top of the map moving clockwise around has gone well out the window.
Re SL4, why will it be terminating at Grove Park? Surely it would make much more sense to run it to Bromley & connect with SL3 & SL5 🤔🤔
No stand space at Bromley North. Too many buses
I as wondering i how many passengers the SL3 carried duing a day, because during our daily walk which takes in new road in abbey wood an we sit at the station, there never seems that many people getting off compered to the 301-229-469 and B11. Also wouldn’t be easier to extend the SL3to North Greenwich rather than make another numbered bus route
I have wondered that myself Steve Norris
The SL3 does seem.vety lighly used throughout the day.
Extending the SL3 to North Greenwich Station with an increased peak hour frequency of every 7 to 8 minutes would make sense so the SL3 route would opeate Bromley North to North Greenwich via Sidcup, Bexleyheath, Abbey Wood Station, Thamesmead, Woolwich, Lower Charlton and Gteenwich Peninsula..
Will also benefit more people wishing to travel to the 02 complex for events etc. Increasing passenger usage and revenue on the SL3.
I agree the SL4 should terminate at Bromley rather than Grove Park. Possibly by Bromley Souuth Station. To link with the SL3 and SL5. Which would make perfect sense. Also Superloop route SL2 terminating at North Woolwich could cross the river to link with the SL3 south of the river Possibly terminating in Woolwich.
I think introducing new electric buses on to the Superloop bus routes in South London is a step in the right direction as many if the buses currently used on the routes are rather old now
However, it can take sometime before the new buses ate introduced due to the neec to install new infrastructure (electric charging points) in bus garages. Waiting time for new electric buses can be around one to two years due to the huge demand for electric buses across the UK and not just in London.
I agree I think extending route SL3 from Thamesmead to North Greenwicb via Woolwich and Charlton to make the route Bromley North to North Greenwich with an increased frequency and some further additional peak hour journeys could work well.and also increase passenger usage and fare revenue on the SL3 which is currently lightly used and often empty when I have seen them in service.
People travel to North Greenwich not only for the station but also the 02 Arena, music venues, Cable cars etc.
Now well into 2026, and they are still using 2009-registered diesel buses on the SL7
We are now well into 2026, but the Sl7 is still using ancient 2009-registered diesel buses