Key Points
- The Bakerloop (BL1) is a new express electric bus route launched by Transport for London (TfL) and Mayor Sadiq Khan, running from Waterloo to Lewisham.
- The route mirrors the proposed Bakerloo line Tube extension, aiming to provide faster, greener transport options while the Tube extension is still years away.
- Free travel is offered for the first week from 27 September to 4 October 2025; passengers must tap in but will not be charged.
- The Bakerloop will use electric double-decker buses painted in the Bakerloo line brown colour and feature USB chargers and priority seating moquettes.
- The service runs every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday and every 15 minutes on Sundays, evenings, and early mornings.
- TfL pays over £4.9m annually to Go-Ahead subsidiary London Central to operate the route.
- Southwark Council has contributed over £5 million in developer funds towards the service as part of local regeneration efforts.
- The Bakerloop is part of TfL’s wider Superloop network of express bus routes, with plans to expand other routes (SL11, SL12, SL13, SL14, SL15) further across London.
- Sadiq Khan emphasised that the Bakerloop provides immediate transport improvements while the Bakerloo Tube extension project continues to be developed.
What is the Bakerloop bus service and where does it run?
The Bakerloop, officially designated as BL1, is an express bus route introduced by Transport for London and the Mayor, Sadiq Khan, that runs between Waterloo and Lewisham, passing key stops such as Elephant & Castle, Old Kent Road, New Cross Gate, Lewisham station, and Lewisham town centre. This route closely follows the path of the long-proposed Bakerloo line Tube extension that currently remains unfunded and is expected to take years to complete.
Journalists including an author from The Standard reported that the Bakerloop is designed to provide a faster, greener travel option on electric double-decker buses that are visually themed in the signature brown colour associated with the Bakerloo line. It uses the Superloop branding, highlighting the route as part of a larger network of express bus services intended to enhance orbital and radial connectivity in London.
Why has the Bakerloop bus been introduced before the Bakerloo line extension?
Sadiq Khan explained in statements relayed by Inside Croydon that although the Bakerloo line extension is a valued project, “it will take years to build,” and Londoners cannot wait for better transport connections any longer. The Bakerloop bus service fills the gap by offering an immediate alternative that mimics the extension’s route, providing quicker journey times and improved access for historically underserved areas of south-east London.
The Mayor emphasised that the Bakerloop builds on the success of the Superloop network by delivering essential transport links urgently needed and demonstrating the transformative potential the Tube extension could bring to the city’s economy.
What are the service features and benefits of the Bakerloop?
The Bakerloop is operated by Go-Ahead London under contract with TfL, who pays over £4.9 million per year to run the service using existing electric buses. These buses are equipped with modern amenities including USB charging ports at seats and seat coverings with designated priority seating areas. The service frequency is every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday during the day and every 15 minutes during evenings, Sundays, and early mornings to maximise capacity and passenger convenience.
Passengers will be required to touch in with their Oyster or contactless payment cards to board but will not be charged for journeys during the inaugural free travel week starting 27 September 2025. This offer encourages users to experience the service’s benefits and take part in shaping future transport plans.
How is the Bakerloop bus service funded and supported?
Southwark Council has contributed more than £5 million from developer funds collected as part of Section 106 agreements linked to redevelopment projects in the Old Kent Road area. This investment demonstrates local government support for improving public transport infrastructure as part of regeneration efforts.
TfL confirmed the Bakerloop expands the Superloop network to over 240 miles of express bus routes and announced plans for additional new and extended Superloop routes scheduled for the next two years, including routes SL11 through SL15, which will enhance connectivity across various London areas.
What are the future plans for the Bakerloo line and related transport projects?
In addition to the Bakerloop, TfL is actively developing detailed plans for the Bakerloo line extension, including tunnel and station designs, as well as potential further extensions beyond Lewisham. Discussions continue with the UK Government and stakeholders for funding and delivery of this important infrastructure project.
The Bakerloop serves both as an immediate transport solution and a symbolic touchpoint showcasing the benefits that full Bakerloo line extension could bring, such as unlocking thousands of new homes and boosting economic growth in south-east London as Sadiq Khan highlighted.
What other express bus routes are planned or under consultation in London?
The launch of Bakerloop coincides with TfL’s wider ambitions to expand the Superloop express bus network. New routes include:
- SL12 between Gants Hill and Rainham via Romford, expected in 2026.
- SL11 between Abbey Wood and North Greenwich, also due in early 2026.
- SL13 linking Hendon and Ealing Broadway, with consultation underway.
- SL14 proposed between Stratford bus station and Chingford Hatch, consultation imminent.
- SL15 proposed between Clapham Junction and Eltham station, with consultation expected in October.
These initiatives underpin TfL’s strategy for a greener, more efficient public transport future with reduced reliance on private cars and increased travel by bus, cycling, and walking.
