Transport for London (TfL) has launched a public consultation for the proposed 'Bakerloop' express bus service, intended to bridge key areas of south London with quicker transport options.
The Bakerloop, designated as route BL1, will run between Waterloo and Lewisham, following the path outlined for the planned Bakerloo Line extension. The route aims to connect major stops including Elephant & Castle, Burgess Park, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, and Lewisham railway station, offering direct journeys between these significant transport hubs.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, earlier pledged to introduce this new route as part of his election campaign, emphasizing the necessity for improved public transport services across the boroughs of Lewisham and Southwark.
According to TfL, the proposed bus service will serve as a temporary measure until the Bakerloo Line extension, which has faced delays due to funding uncertainties, can become operational. Currently, there are no set timelines for the completion of the Tube extension, with TfL still appealing to the government for necessary funding.
The Bakerloop is projected to run every 12 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on Sundays, efficiently connecting residents with other forms of public transport such as the Underground, Overground, DLR, and National Rail services. This integration is seen as pivotal for enhancing transport connectivity across the southeast of London.
Londoners are invited to provide feedback through the consultation running until March 14, 2025. The input gathered will help finalize the exact bus stops and potential route adjustments. The service could potentially start operating as early as autumn 2025, pending the results of the consultation.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, expressed the importance of community feedback, saying, “The proposed ‘Bakerloop’ would enable us to improve public transport connectivity and capacity between southeast London and central London.”
The consultation highlights the strategic importance of this new route, which is also aimed at stimulating future economic development and housing growth by improving accessibility to these areas.
Notably, half of the residents located along the proposed Bakerloo line extension reside in some of the most deprived neighborhoods, making improved transport links even more significant. With the Bakerloop, residents will gain quicker access to employment opportunities and services across London.
Cllr Helen Dennis from Southwark Council noted, “The proposed Bakerloop bus service would be a fantastic addition to the transport infrastructure supporting Southwark and its neighbouring boroughs.”
The Bakerloop bus service will have distinct branding featuring the brown colors of the Bakerloo line, allowing passengers to clearly distinguish it from other existing Superloop routes. This branding strategy also anticipates the future transition of the Bakerloop bus service to accommodate the Bakerloo Line once it is completed.
There are several other plans underway to expand the Superloop network, including new routes SL11 and SL12 which will connect Abbey Wood with North Greenwich and run between Rainham and Gants Hill, respectively. These routes will complement the newly proposed BL1 and demonstrate TfL’s commitment to improving transport throughout London.
Mayor Khan reiterated the significance of this infrastructure project: “This vitality not only provides improved transport links but also helps develop thousands of new homes and jobs, boosting the economy and ensuring London remains vibrant and prosperous.”
Feedback from these various consultations is seen as critically important to shape transport planning and improve London’s overall transport infrastructure. TfL aims to eventually achieve widespread enhancements across the transport framework for the benefit of all Londoners.
The desire for improved transport has placed emphasis on the need for additional public transport services, particularly as many residents await the long-promised Bakerloo Line extension. While construction details remain vague, adequate interim solutions such as the Bakerloop must operate effectively.
The public is encouraged to engage with the consultation process actively, either online through the TfL portal or during scheduled community meetings where officials will be present to answer questions and gather opinions.
This Bakerloop proposal reflects the overarching effort of TfL and local authorities to not only meet immediate transport needs but also to lay the groundwork for more expansive urban development projects across London. The objective is clear—enhanced connectivity and infrastructure are needed to thrive economically and socially.