New data shows the average increase in passengers on all Superloop corridors and parallel routes since the service launched is 11%

The SL1 at Walthamstow Central Bus Station

A year on from the launch of Transport for London’s ‘Superloop’ express bus service data shows more people have begun using buses in the areas it serves.

Since the first Superloop was launched in June 2023, figures show the average increase in passengers on all Superloop corridors (including parallel routes) is 11%, which 9% higher than the network average.

New Superloop services have added more than six million bus kilometres per year to the capital’s network, above the four million originally forecast. The Superloop network connects people using it with 310 other bus routes, 49 rail stations and 23 rail lines, improving outer London’s connectivity.

The evidence now shows that the Superloop network is helping to increase bus patronage around London. Bus ridership continues to grow across the network with 1.86 billion bus journeys made in 2023/24. More than 95% of Londoners now live within 400 metres of a bus stop.

The final route in the new Superloop network, SL4, will begin operating between Canary Wharf and Grove Park once Silvertown Tunnel opens in 2025.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The Superloop is making a real difference improving public transport in Outer London, adding more than six million additional bus kilometres per year to the capital’s bus network and linking stations, town centres, hospitals and transport hubs.

“This new data shows that if you build it, people will come and use it, and this is just the start. I have bold ambitions to deliver even more improvements to London’s bus network, including Superloop 2 which would double the number of Superloop services and support my aim to build a fairer, greener London for all.”

Nick Owen, TfL’s director of buses, said: “It is encouraging to see customer demand continuing to grow in response to a new express service in outer London within its first year of inception. The data shows it’s already transforming travel with millions of journeys each year.

“Initial feedback is looking very positive and proving popular with customers as many of the Superloop routes are still relatively new. Work is not done however, and we continue to review customer demand and feedback to make sure we are always adapting to customers’ needs and making improvements where needed.”

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