The new Superloop SL11 express bus service will begin operating in southeast London this Saturday, 24 January, with free travel during its first week.
The SL11 is a limited-stop express route running between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich via Thamesmead and Woolwich. The service is designed to reduce journey times and improve connections with the Elizabeth line, Docklands Light Railway (DLR), London Underground and National Rail services.
The new route replaces the daytime operation of bus route 472 and will run more frequently, using a more direct alignment through Woolwich town centre.
To mark the launch, pay-as-you-go customers will not be charged for travel on SL11 services from 05:00 on 24 January until 23:59 on 30 January. Passengers will still need to touch in with a valid Oyster or contactless card, but the fare will be set at 0 GBP for this period.
SL11 will operate every six minutes during the day from Monday to Saturday between 07:00 and 21:00. At other times, buses will run every 10 to 12 minutes, with a reduced frequency of every 15 minutes during early Sunday mornings.
A night service, N472, will also be introduced. Running between 00:15 and 04:45, it will serve all stops currently covered by route 472, with buses operating every 30 minutes throughout the week.
Lorna Murphy, TfL's Director of Buses, said:We're thrilled to see another Superloop express service on the roads serving Londoners in this area. The SL11 will boost travel and journey times and crucially will mean faster connections between the Elizabeth line, DLR, London Underground and National Rail. All bus rides on the SL11 will be free for customers for the first week, so we encourage everyone to take advantage of this offer. As always, we'll continue to monitor travel patterns to ensure the network meets local demand.
The introduction of SL11 follows a TfL consultation held between March and April 2025 on the proposed route. According to TfL, 56 percent of respondents said the new service would be more convenient for them, while 65 percent expected quicker journey times.
The route also supports planned regeneration in Thamesmead and follows confirmation of government support, announced in the Autumn Budget, for extending the DLR from Gallions Reach to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.
Passengers who previously used stops on route 472 that are not served by SL11 will need to use alternative local bus services, including routes 161, 177, 180, 244, 301 and 380. TfL noted that customers making changes can use the Hopper fare, which allows unlimited bus journeys within one hour for 1.75 GBP.
SL11 becomes the latest addition to the Superloop network, which has carried around 60 million passengers since its introduction.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:I'm delighted to launch the latest Superloop, SL11, a new express bus route connecting communities from North Greenwich to Abbey Wood via Thamesmead and Woolwich.
In my manifesto I pledged to bring in Superloop-style express buses while major projects like the DLR to Thamesmead are underway, and I'm proud to have delivered on this.
Replacing the 472 with this faster, more direct service will help to support early regeneration plans in Thamesmead and boost transport links in a historically under-served part of London.
I'm also excited to say that TfL will be offering a week of free travel on the new Superloop service, so from 24 January to 30 January Londoners can give the SL11 a go and see for themselves how choosing this quicker bus can transform their everyday journeys.
As Mayor, I'll continue to explore how we can keep improving London's bus network and build a better, fairer London for everyone.
