Further questions about the Superloop express bus services
Request ID: FOI-4361-2324 Date published: 14 March 2024
You asked
Hello
I have follow-up to my previous FOI request regarding the Superloop.
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-3938-2324
1. According to the answer to question 6 on the previous FOI request (FOI-3938-2324), are there plans for new Superloop express routes to travel beyond the Greater London boundary to improve bus connectivity, such as reinstating the Green Line express bus service?
2. According to the answer to question 8 on the previous FOI request, can you publish the review reports in relation to including the Superloop on the London Underground map?
3. According to the answer to question 9 on the previous FOI request, can you publish the customer research reports regarding the 'SL' prefix?
4. Why did you propose the SL3 and SL5 as two separate routes instead of one long route similar to the SL7 (formerly X26)? A user on X (formerly Twitter) has suggested that the SL3 and SL5 should be one long route in which the former route 726 (previously X26) served from Heathrow to Dartford via Croydon and Bromley as one long express bus route.
https://twitter.com/CLondoner92/status/1688201648458358784
5. Can you publish the interior specification and route diagram graphics for all of your Superloop bus routes?
Thanks
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4361-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) 23rd on February 2024 asking for information about Superloop buses.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1. According to the answer to question 6 on the previous FOI request (FOI-3938-2324), are there plans for new Superloop express routes to travel beyond the Greater London boundary to improve bus connectivity, such as reinstating the Green Line express bus service?
Answer: There are no such plans.
Question 2. According to the answer to question 8 on the previous FOI request, can you publish the review reports in relation to including the Superloop on the London Underground map?
Answer: We have not yet started the review, and therefore we do not hold any such report.
Question 3. According to the answer to question 9 on the previous FOI request, can you publish the customer research reports regarding the 'SL' prefix?
Answer: The report to support the SL prefix attached.
Question 4. Why did you propose the SL3 and SL5 as two separate routes instead of one long route similar to the SL7 (formerly X26)? A user on X (formerly Twitter) has suggested that the SL3 and SL5 should be one long route in which the former route 726 (previously X26) served from Heathrow to Dartford via Croydon and Bromley as one long express bus route. https://twitter.com/CLondoner92/status/1688201648458358784
Answer: Our research shows that longer routes mean more unreliability due to more junctions, more probability of streetworks, and more probability of general traffic congestion.
Question 5. Can you publish the interior specification and route diagram graphics for all of your Superloop bus routes?
Answer: Please see the route diagram documents in the folder attached. Regarding interior specifications, there are no diagrams held, but our expectation is that all Superloop buses should be fitted with USB chargers and Priority seat moquette. In addition, the SL7 buses should be fitted with an appropriate luggage rack. Where retrofit work is required some of the work is still currently on-going.
If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
