Transport for London (TfL) has launched a consultation inviting Londoners to share their views on the proposed Superloop SL14 express bus route, which aims to enhance transport connectivity across east and northeast London. The planned SL14 route would run between Stratford Bus Station and Chingford Hatch (Hatch Lane), passing through Walthamstow and providing direct rail interchanges at Leyton, St James’s Street, and Blackhorse Road stations. In addition, it would link with the existing SL1 at the Crooked Billet Roundabout in Walthamstow, creating more seamless travel options for commuters.

According to TfL, the SL14 would expand the growing Superloop network, promoting more sustainable travel and offering quicker, more direct journeys between local centres, railway stations, and key work and leisure destinations. The introduction of the SL14 is expected to reduce journey times significantly on this corridor, potentially easing congestion on existing routes such as the 158 and 357 buses by spreading passenger demand and reducing wait times. As a result, TfL has proposed reducing the frequency of the 158 route from a bus every six minutes to one every eight minutes during Monday to Saturday daytimes, while also rerouting the local D8 route in Stratford to start or end at Stratford City Bus Station instead of Stratford Bus Station to accommodate the new service.

The consultation is open for six weeks until 5 November 2025, allowing the public and various stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposal. Geoff Hobbs, TfL’s director of public transport service planning, emphasised the importance of the SL14 in continuing the success of the Superloop network, which has already transformed travel across outer London by offering faster, direct express bus services. Hobbs stated that these initiatives help improve connectivity between communities and key destinations, contributing to more sustainable travel across the capital.

The SL14 route is the latest addition to the wider Superloop network, which now encircles Greater London, connecting outer boroughs with major town centres and transport hubs. Since its inception, the network has added over six million bus kilometres and attracted ridership levels 15% higher than the average for London's bus services, highlighting strong demand for express services reducing travel times on outer London corridors. This builds on successful routes such as SL8, which saw an 18% increase in ridership within its first year.

TfL’s Superloop initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve public transport links in London’s outer areas, complementing other planned routes like the SL11 in the Thamesmead area and new express services such as the Bakerloop in southeast London. These projects aim to support regeneration efforts, enhance access to key employment and leisure sites, and provide more sustainable travel alternatives to car journeys.

This wave of new express bus routes reflects growing recognition of the need to address transportation challenges in London’s suburban and peri-urban areas by offering faster, more direct, and higher-capacity bus services. As proposed, the SL14 promises to be a vital link enabling better connectivity for east and northeast London communities, whilst contributing to TfL's overarching goal of a more sustainable and integrated public transport network.

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Source: Noah Wire Services