TfL extend free bus travel on Silvertown and Blackwall tunnel routes
Free bus use on three routes crossing the Thames via the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels has been extended by TfL.
Routes SL4 and 129 through Silvertown tunnel and 108 through the Blackwall tunnel are currently free to use.
The year-long scheme was due to end in April but has now been extended for seven weeks until Tuesday 26 May 2026.
Route 108 has long operated whilst SL4 commenced last year running between Grove Park and Canary Wharf. Route 129 starts in Lewisham and was extended from Lewisham, now terminating at Gallions Reach.
More widely London bus and tram fares will stay at £1.75 until July 2026 whilst other TfL fares on the tube, Elizabeth line and DLR will rise above inflation in March.
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Rather than free buses could TFL make some decent routes from the tunnel that extend into Greenwich Borough! Barely any buses go into most towns.
To give two examples: Eltham and Kidbrooke to Canary Wharf/Stratford would be incredibly popular. No DLR or tube from these areas.
Another is Charlton to north of the river. Again, no tube or DLR so convoluted journeys.
I never supported the tunnel but at least assumed they’d put routes like that in for cross-river connectivity. Yet nothing. I think TfL have lost the plot with buses. No effort on routes with growth potential then they wonder why ridership plummets.
Ed You make very valid points.
I just read that route 286 Greenwich Town Centre tp Sidcup Queen Mary’s Hospital via Eltham and Kidbrooke frequency is being reduced from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes during the day on Monday to Saturday’s from July 2026 Then TFL wonder why people are going back to using their cars rather than waiting ages for a bus to arrive which will be full and not easily accessible for the elderly disabled and passengers with wheelchairs and buggies.
Let’s not forget these cuts are supported the local council’s served by the (Greenwich and Bexley) and local MP’s in Greenwich and Bexley Boroughs.
Ed You make very valid points.
I just read that route 286 Greenwich Town Centre tp Sidcup Queen Mary’s Hospital via Eltham and Kidbrooke frequency is being reduced from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes during the day on Monday to Saturday’s from July 2026 Then TFL wonder why people are going back to using their cars rather than waiting ages for a bus to arrive which will be full and not easily accessible for the elderly disabled and passengers with wheelchairs and buggies.
Let’s not forget these cuts are supported the local council’s served by the (Greenwich and Bexley) and local MP’s in Greenwich and Bexley Boroughs.
I agree with Ed. I personally do not think the suoerloop bus routes are that popular especially outside of the peak hours. With many routes buses running near empty during the day and evenings. I wonder if this is why the free fares are being extended on the 108 128 and Superloop. SL4.
The 108 and 129 which are normal stopping bus services are busier throughout the day unlike the SL4..
So I totally agree with Ed’s suggestions to privide new bus links between Eltham/Kidbrooke to Canary Wharf/Stratford and Charlton to North of the River as local bus services.
The SL11 Abbey Wood to North Greenwich could have been extended to Lewisham Town Centre via the old 180 routing improving transport links in the Abbey Wood Thamesmead and Lower Charlton areas. Leaving route 472 to operate between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich.
I agtee C. Now we are seeing route 286 Queen Mary’s Hospital to Greenwich Town Centre frequency being cut by twp busex an houtr from every 10 minutes to every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytimes. These cuts to our bys services are not acceptable and they clezr message to The Mayor of London and other politicians is clear “HANDS OF OUR BUS SERVICES” q
@ Kay M. Cutting bus services that serve Hospitals show just how much the Labour Mayor For London and TFL care about people who rely heavily on their lical bus services. Including the sick, disabled, elderlly and other vulnerable people. Many NHS staff rely on local bus services to get tp work as cannot afford the extortionate parking fees at Hospital car parks..South East London have some of worst bus services in London when it comes to reducing frequencies with less buses on busy bus routes.
Cutting bus routes can also impact on.locsl businesses and local economies. So I echo what Kay M said “Hands off our bus services” Lets start seeing more improvements not cut to bus services in Soutb East London. We are supposed to be a thriving capital city infrastructure and good public transport plays a viral role in making cities successful and where people want to live work and visit.
@ Kay M. Cutting bus services that serve Hospitals show just how much the Labour Mayor For London and TFL care about people who rely heavily on their lical bus services. Including the sick, disabled, elderlly and other vulnerable people. Many NHS staff rely on local bus services to get tp work as cannot afford the extortionate parking fees at Hospital car parks..South East London have some of worst bus services in London when it comes to reducing frequencies with less buses on busy bus routes.
Cutting bus routes can also impact on.locsl businesses and local economies. So I echo what Kay M said “Hands off our bus services” Lets start seeing more improvements not cut to bus services in Soutb East London. We are supposed to be a thriving capital city infrastructure and good public transport plays a viral role in making cities successful and where people want to live work and visit.
@ CDT. I really could not agree witb yoiu mote infrastructure and public transport are vital for tbe success of any city and especially big cities like London
Sadly we have seen lots of cuts to bus setvices since 2015/2016 when Sadiq Khan became the Labour Mayor For London and largely contols what happens at TFL.
We need to see real investment in our city and public transport and infrastructure to meet an ever growing demand for a growing population..Sadly we are not seeing thr amount of investment needed in Greater London. It is true it does have a knock on affect for businesses.
Superloop bus routes are fine for longer journeys but we need real investment in local.bus services serving local areas and new developments with improved bus services to Hospitals, Schools, Town Centres and Stations As most bus journeys are made locally.
So I totally agree with Kay M.”Hands off our bus services” improve them not reduce them.
Geoff Marshall has already done few videos of the Silvertown Tunnel and the Superloop bus. Which made me think that I should go ride a bus that goes through Silvertown Tunnel.
New electric buses for routes 51 178 244 291 and Superloop route SL11 are now not expected to be introduced until Go Ahead London have built their new Thamesmead Bus Garage with new electric charging infrastructure installed. New bus garage due to open in late 2027 or early 2028. I guess this makes sense as new ekectric charging infrastructure can take several months to install at exiting bus garages. The new Tamesmead bus garage is due to replace Morden Wharf Garage at North Greenwich. With all bus routes operated from Morden Wharf transferring to the new bus garage when it opens.