Mayor Sadiq Khan has praised the Superloop orbital bus network for significantly increasing passenger counts, especially after adding two new routes, signaling the system's impact on suburban travel in London.
On a recent journey aboard the SL10, connecting Harrow and North Finchley, Khan recognized the network as a transformative development in the city's transport. The SL1, introducing service from North Finchley to Walthamstow Central, followed the SL10 in the network's expansion.
Initially, Superloop energized existing services, such as transforming the 607 into the SL8 route, connecting Uxbridge and White City, and converting the X68 express into the SL6, serving West Croydon and Russell Square. Other routes also underwent rebranding to integrate into Superloop, boosting passenger usage and route frequency.
By next April, nine Superloop routes will be operational, eventually totaling ten, with a mix of orbital connections and spokes that link outer suburbs to central London. The last addition, the SL4, will commence with the opening of the Silvertown tunnel in 2025.
Khan expressed his enthusiasm over the success of Superloop, citing its positive influence on the convenience of outer London's travel. Fares on these buses remain at the standard £1.75, and some routes feature newly introduced electric double-decker buses.
Despite the advancements, there has been criticism regarding the slow implementation of new routes and the network's modest impact on overall city capacity.
Nonetheless, bus journeys in London have seen overall growth, with London buses under TfL's oversight promising accelerated development of the remaining Superloop services.