The SL14 will be an express bus service from Stratford Bus Station to Chingford Hatch when it launches next year
Transport for London (TfL) has approved a new express bus route between Stratford and Chingford, following strong public support during consultation.
The route will run between Stratford Bus Station and Hatch Lane in Chingford, serving key stops including Leyton, St James Street, Blackhorse Road, before connecting with the SL1 at Crooked Billet Roundabout.
The consultation, held from 25th September to 5th November 2025, revealed that 83% of respondents found the route more convenient and 81% expected faster journey times. 63% indicated they would be more likely to choose the express bus over driving.
The SL14 will provide a more direct journey with limited stops at key interchanges and town centres. Passengers will benefit from the Mayor’s hopper fare, allowing unlimited journeys within an hour for £1.75.
To accommodate the new service, the D8 route will be diverted via Stratford City Bus Station, where it will now start and end. The SL14 is planned to launch in 2027, with buses running every twelve minutes, slightly reducing the frequency of the parallel 158 route from every six minutes to every eight minutes, ensuring over twelve buses per hour along the corridor.
Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, said: “We welcome the positive response to the consultation of the new SL14 express route. This service will play an important role in improving connections and reducing journey times across east and northeast London. Work has now begun to prepare the SL14 for operation, with the goal of introducing the service in 2027. We’ll let our customers know ahead of the launch so keep your eyes peeled for more news soon.”
Deputy Mayor for Transport, Seb Dance, said: “The Mayor and I are pleased to see TfL pressing ahead with plans to launch a new SL14 express bus route next year, following strong public backing. This new route will improve bus services and journey times for Londoners across east and northeast London, building on the success of the Mayor’s game-changing Superloop to further boost transport links in previously under-served areas as we continue building a fairer, greener, better city for everyone.”
For more details on the SL14 consultation, and a map of the SL14 route visit: TfL SL14 consultation report
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