The NEW SL5 Bus / Superloop Explained

The new SL5 bus started on Saturday 3rd February 2024, so I took a ride to see how it works, how long it takes to get to Croydon, and bumped into some familiar faces too.

If you don't know what the Superloop Bus Network is yet either, we explain that too ...

[gussmedways]

A special film featuring the "The Three BUSketeers". More Luke and Roger please!!

[MrBluebirds]

South Eden Park Road also has a fairly low train bridge at the end. A Halfords lorry once got stuck under it with "We Fit" written on the side which was quite ironic!

[andrewhotston]

Superloop sounds SO much more interesting than it actually is.

[symy]

No Geoff, MORE Roger, not LESS!!! We love Roger and his Take No Prisoners Boots!!!!

[GiladTeller]

Ride time on the bus was 40:11, video length is 11:40. Absolute perfection!

[SLT_]

seeing a single-decker bus in the superloop livery is weird

[TonyTheYouTuba]

Roger’s coup is nearly complete, soon Geoff will be “Guest starring” credit 😂

[rajshah]

Tried SL5 today to get to work in Bromley from Croydon. Mainly used the 119 or if feeling brave the 367 before. Was well pleased quick route linking both town centres. Only gripe is the buses the one in morning felt i was in the building site lot of hammer like banging coming from the rear. Definitely will now be my go to bus route to get to work. If any spare 12m single deckers will provide much needed capacity as can see this route becoming popular. Keep up the good work Geoff, Roger and Luke

[ChaynnePlays]

The 367 also does Bromley North to West Croydon, but it's even more torturous than the 119! 😂

[simonhorn]

Geoff and Roger on the buses!!!! My Monday doesn't get better...carnage in the Woolwich foot tunnel #ineedroger!

[drdewott]

The Superloop is an interesting idea but IDK if its enough for the city of London. In my home city of Copenhagen we've already had something like this since 1990 called the "S-buses". High frequency rapid bus routes with limited stops, either orbiting the city or going radially through it. The numbering system was pretty clever too so every route route ending with -00S was an orbital route and the further away you went from downtown the higher the number was, so 200S, 300S, 400S, 500S, and 600S. And every route ending with -50S was a radial with 150S, 250S, and 350S. We had more lines in the past as well. And all of the S-buses are recognisable by having the classic Copenhagen yellow livery but a big blue corner on the side.

But these bus routes arent enough for the city anymore. Even when they were conceptualised they were intended to be upgraded to Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit in the long term. And it has been put off for several years but its finally reaching that stage due to chronic traffic and overcrowding on some routes. Line 300S is the first to go as it'll be replaced by a 28km long Light rail line (or tram) around the city in 2025. Lines 200S and 400S both have full scale BRT proposals being assessed right now with widespread political support and government cofunding already in place, the decissions to build those will be taken in 2025 and 26. Line 500S is getting some BRT-Lite upgrades on part of its route to improve reliability and speed and make stops nicer, thats being done later this year. And line 150S did have a BRT proposal but it didnt receive national funding, so now piecemeal BRT-lite works have been studied instead as a compromise.

[elainemulberryrat]

Looks like you had a great time with Roger and Luke. Your enthusiasm is great and looks like you're back to your cheerful self. Nice video btw.

[DavidGloyne-vfsv]

Another great video, used to live in Shirley 30yrs ago, brought back happy memories.

[happytrain]

Thank you Geoff for the graphic and the voiceover to explain the superloop network

[trainadventuresuk]

Hi Geoff. Me and my son( who's a huge railway fan? have been watching your videos together for years. Thanks for all the content..we do our own railway adventures too, and you inspired it.

[thechazzzz]

I tried the Superloop as I'm moving from Croydon to Bromley, the superloop saves much more time. I love it.

[robbo]

The old 725 was great. Windsor to Gravesend! Limited stop.

[hardeep]

this bus has been a lifesaver as I live in Croydon and work in Bromley

[QALibrary]

It is Mr Tube Mapper - he is such a nice person and takes brilliant photos

[aarontibbett]

3:23 me running and then walking straight past Geoff and Roger not realising 😅