The SL1 route will connect North Finchley with Walthamstow via New Southgate, Arnos Grove, Palmers Green and Edmonton

The ‘Superloop’ express bus service picks up its first passengers in Enfield this weekend.

Transport for London (TfL) is launching the SL1 bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow – via New Southgate, Arnos Grove, Palmers Green and Edmonton – on Saturday, 9th December.

The Superloop concept was announced at the start of this year as a way to improve public transport connections between outer London boroughs, providing express buses that only stop at limited places to make them as fast as possible. Together, the routes will form a ring around the capital.

The SL1 gives people more transport options to move between key locations such as transport hubs and town centres in Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest boroughs, including stops at New Southgate, Arnos Grove and Silver Street stations.

However, the route has also been criticised for not providing a direct link to North Middlesex Hospital in Edmonton despite pleas from local NHS bosses. Stops at Palmers Green and the Meridian Water development were added following a public consultation over the summer.

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New TfL data shows that customers are already taking advantage of the Superloop network. The data so far shows demand on all Superloop routes has increased above the network average level.

The full loop of the Superloop will be complete by spring 2024, mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged.

Khan, said: “It is fantastic to see the Superloop already encouraging more people onto London’s bus network. It’s proving a real game-changer.

“Now people travelling in outer London are getting another boost before Christmas with two brand new routes coming into service, making it easier to see friends and family, or to visit local town centres or services. I’m delighted to see so many Londoners benefitting from the Superloop so far, and there’s much more to come.”

More than 95 per cent of Londoners now live within 400 metres of a bus stop. In addition to the Superloop, TfL says it is pursuing other enhancements to the bus network in partnership with London’s boroughs.

Louise Cheeseman, TfL’s director of buses, said: “It is great to see that customers are benefiting from the Superloop. The express bus network was made with customers in mind, giving them quicker and more sustainable options when it comes to public transport in outer London.

“We are pleased to see that the Superloop services that are already part of the network are a firm favourite for those who need to get around the capital, and to be able to offer Londoners even more new instantly recognisable routes.”

The SL1 will run every twelve minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays. This service, combined with the 34, will mean customers can expect a bus every five to six minutes during Monday to Saturday, up from every eight minutes at present.

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