A New Express Bus Service Connecting Abbey Wood and North Greenwich
A new express bus route, designated as SL11, will commence operations on Saturday, linking Abbey Wood with North Greenwich. During its inaugural week, passengers will be able to travel for free.
The SL11 service is designed as a limited-stop route, passing through Thamesmead and Woolwich to enhance travel efficiency and improve connections to the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and London Underground.
Transport for London (TfL) announced that customers using pay-as-you-go methods will not incur charges for rides on this route from January 24 to January 30. However, it is essential for passengers to tap in using an Oyster or contactless card.
Enhanced Service Frequency and Night Operations
The SL11 will replace the daytime service of route 472, offering increased frequency with buses operating every six minutes during weekdays and Saturdays. Additionally, a new night service, N472, will run every 30 minutes overnight.
TfL indicated that this route aligns with regeneration initiatives in Thamesmead and complements plans to extend the DLR from Gallions Reach to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead, which received government funding in the recent Autumn Budget.
The launch of the SL11 follows a public consultation that demonstrated strong community support. Over half of the respondents indicated that the new route would enhance convenience, while nearly two-thirds believed it would facilitate quicker travel.
Expansion of the Superloop Network
The SL11 is the latest addition to the Superloop network of express bus services in outer London, which has served approximately 60 million passengers since its inception. With this new route, the network will span a total distance of 135 miles (218 km).
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan remarked that the service would provide faster and more direct connections in an area historically lacking in public transport options. He emphasized that replacing the 472 with this improved service would support early regeneration efforts in Thamesmead and enhance transport links in a previously underserved region of London.
Community Impact and Future Developments
Lorna Murphy, TfL’s director of buses, stated that the SL11 would strengthen connections between rail, Tube, and bus networks in south-east London and encouraged passengers to take advantage of the complimentary travel during the first week.
A representative from London TravelWatch, the statutory transport watchdog for the city, described the SL11 as a „gamechanger“ for residents in south London who may currently experience inadequate public transport options. They expressed the importance of ensuring that new routes do not negatively impact existing services and pledged to advocate for a comprehensive bus network across the capital.
Passengers who previously utilized stops on route 472 that are not included in the SL11 may need to switch buses. TfL assured that those stops would still be accessible via other frequent routes, and passengers can utilize the Hopper fare to make unlimited bus journeys within an hour for £1.75.
Further Superloop routes are under consideration, with proposed services in east, west, and south London, and consultations either recently concluded or currently in progress.
London TravelWatch noted that the existing Superloop network has positively impacted Londoners, enhancing transportation services in areas that require improved local transit options.
Bildquelle: Bildquelle: Naida Marin auf Unsplash
