The first part of the proposed “Superloop” London express network will go into action tomorrow (15 July) when route 607 between Uxbridge and White City is rebranded as SL8.
The stops on the Metroline-run route will remain the same but some will change to better reflect their locations, while an extended timetable to cover early morning and evening will go into operation from 19 August. Improved customer information and USB charging will also follow.
Transport for London (TfL) unveiled the Superloop on 28 March this year, with four existing and six new routes eventually due to be served by the branded buses, subject to consultation.
The SL8 is the first of four routes due to form part of the network this summer. Route X68 from West Croydon to Russell Square will become SL6 from 29 July. Route X26 from West Croydon to Heathrow and the X140 from Harrow to Heathrow will also renumbered in the coming months.
Louise Cheeseman, Director of Buses at TfL, says: “The newly numbered and branded SL8 will provide people in outer London an instantly recognisable express bus route helping to make it easier to choose a sustainable travel option. I urge customers who are used to seeing the 607 to give the SL8 a try.”
Sean O’Shea, CEO at Metroline, says: “Metroline is delighted to be the first Bus company in London to operate one of the new Superloop services. This launch marks a milestone in further improving transport links in outer London and our team at Greenford Garage are proud to play their part delivering route SL8 of the Superloop.”
TfL also announced today that the SL2, SL3 and SL5 routes has been added to the 2023-24 tendering programme. New route SL1 has been added to the 2024-5 tendering programme, which also includes rotes SL6.
