Transport for London (TfL) has awarded the contract to Go-Ahead London to operate the new SL4 route that will be the final section of the new Superloop network to go live, due in 2025.
As well as the SL4 connecting Canary Wharf to Grove Park, Go-Ahead has retained the right to operate route 129 from Lewisham-North Greenwich. Both will be served by battery-electric buses, with figures from TfL showing that the SL4 will have a PVR of 18 and that figure for the 129 being 22.
Superloop, which began in July and is being rolled out in stages, is designed to improve connections through the outer London boroughs. The SL4 will complete the work with the opening of the Silvertown Tunnel, which will also allow Go-Ahead’s 129 to move onwards to Great Eastern Quay. Frequencies on the latter will be increased on each day of the week.
Louise Cheeseman, TfL’s Director of Buses, says: “We’re pleased to announce Go-Ahead London as our operator for these two electric bus routes serving the Silvertown Tunnel when it opens in 2025. The SL4 and 129 will significantly improve public transport links in the southeast London area, connecting customers to the rest of the capital.
“We look forward to continuing to work closely with Go-Ahead London in the next two years so we can jointly provide the best service we can for our customers.”
The new network, which will be non-stop between Sun-in-the-Sands roundabout and Leamouth roundabout, builds on London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s promise for four million extra kilometres of bus services in the capital.
David Cutts, Go-Ahead London’s Managing Director, adds: “We are pleased to be awarded contracts to operate the new Superloop SL4 route, together with the greatly enhanced 129, both using the new Silvertown Tunnel to connect north and south London. We look forward to working closely with TfL to deliver a safe and reliable service for our passengers, utilising brand new zero-emission electric buses.”
