X26 bus to become SL7 in new Sadiq Khan’s Superloop service

Starting Saturday, August 19, bus route X26 between Heathrow Central and West Croydon will undergo some changes to become the SL7.

The frequency of the SL7 will be doubled, with buses running every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes.

In addition to this, TfL claims that other improvements such as better customer information and USB charging will also be implemented on many of the buses.

Although the bus stops on the route will remain the same, some of the stop names will be changed to better reflect their locations.

For example, the New Malden / The Fountain stop will be renamed as New Malden / Fountain Roundabout.

The SL7 will serve a number of locations including Heathrow Airport, Hatton Cross, Kingston, Worcester Park, Sutton, and Croydon.

Louise Cheeseman, Director of Buses at TfL said: “The newly numbered and branded SL7 will provide people in outer London an instantly recognisable express bus route helping to make it easier to choose a sustainable travel option.

“Customers used to the X26 will need to use the SL7 from hereon which serves the same places and stops.”

Transport for London (TfL) is making efforts to inform customers about these changes through branded posters and timetables displayed at bus stops and stations, as well as updated spider maps.

Regular users of the routes have also received two emails in advance of the changes taking place.

Mayor Sadiq Khan announced the new express “Superloop” bus system at the end of March.

The loop will encircle the entire city in a bid to “speed up the daily commute for workers” and will cost an extra £6million provided by the Mayor of London.

The network will link outer London town centres, railway stations, hospitals and transport hubs with some of the benefits coming into play later this year.

This service is to be put in place ahead of the ULEZ expansion as the Mayor wishes improve transport links in outer London before its implementation.

A TfL spokesperson has said that the Superloop is part of the plan to “strengthen alternatives to the private car”.

Hundreds of thousands more drivers face a daily fee of £12.50 for using London’s roads after mayor Sadiq Khan announced he will expand a pollution charge zone to boost air quality.

Mr Khan said extending the ultra-low emission zone to cover the whole of the capital from August 29, 2023 is “one of the toughest decisions I’ve taken”.

The Mayor describes the Superloop as “game changing” as it could add over four million additional kilometres to London’s bus network.

Surrey Comet | Kingston