SUPERLOOP NEWS - Routes SL2, SL11 & SL12 - BYD BD11s, E400EVs Cancelled, Dates Confirmed?

Superloop News Routes SL2, SL11 and SL12 Changes to the SL2 and SL11 and more details on the upcoming SL12 have been announced. The SL2, SL11 and SL12 are all part of London's Superloop express bus network, which was introduced in 2023 to improve journey times, bus links and connections in outer London. 0:00 Introduction 0:25 Part 1 - SL2 4:05 Part 2 - SL12 6:40 Part 3 - SL11 Part 1 - Route SL2 Electrification Route SL2 will use new second generation BYD BD11s from tomorrow, the 18th of July 2026. This route has used 17 ADL Enviro400 City Hybrids since its introduction in March 2024. The SL2 will become the first route to use facelift BD11s. And will become the second route to use second generation BD11s, after the 240. Arriva London currently operates the SL2 from Barking (DX) garage. This will change tomorrow, when the route transfers to Tottenham (AR). This transfer means the route will likely be fully electric on its first day at Tottenham. Meaning today (the 17th of July) is the last day of Enviro400 Cities operating on the SL2. The SL2 will become the fifth Superloop route to use BD11s. And will become the tenth Superloop route to use electrics. Electrics are currently used on routes SL1, SL3, SL4, SL5, SL6, SL7, SL9, SL10 and BL1. With BD11s in use on routes SL1, SL4, SL5 and SL7. The SL2's Enviro400 City Hybrids were new to Brixton (BN) garage in early 2017. They were used on routes 50, 133, 319 and N133 until 2023. These buses then re-entered service on the SL2 in 2024. Though most buses entered service before being refurbished into Superloop livery. After their use on the SL2, these Enviro400 City Hybrids are expected to transfer to the 158. The SL2 runs between Walthamstow Central and North Woolwich Ferry Terminal. The route is a limited-stop express service, only stopping around 15 times. The SL2 stops at Walthamstow Central Bus Station, Walthamstow Market, Waltham Forest Town Hall, High Road South Woodford, Woodford (Roding Lane North), Gants Hill Station, Ilford Station, Ilford Town Centre (Chapel Road), Barking Station, Barking Town Centre, Gallions Reach Retail Park (Royal Docks Road), Gallions Reach (UEL Docklands Campus), King George V Station (Pier Road) and North Woolwich Ferry Terminal. Part 2 - SL12 update StreetDeck Electroliners for the upcoming SL12 have been delivered. These buses will be used on the route in Autumn (more on this later). The SL12 will run between Gants Hill and Rainham, Ferry Lane via Romford. The route was expected to start in April this year, but has been delayed. This was mainly due to bus stand/infrastructure works. The SL12 will serve Gants Hill Station, Horns Road/Ley Street, Newbury Park Station, Barley Lane, Padnall Road/East Road, Mawney Road, Romford (Western Road), Romford Station, Queen's Hospital, Elm Park Station, Freeborne Gardens, Ford Lane, Dunedin Road, Rainham Station Part 3 - BYD BD11s for the SL11 The SL11 is currently London's newest Superloop route, starting in January 2026. This route replaced the 472, and runs from North Greenwich to Abbey Wood. The SL11 currently uses ex-First Wright Eclipse Gemini 2s from Bexleyheath (BX) garage, And New Routemaster hybrids originally used on routes 9/SL3 and 21/453. New BYD BD11s have been ordered for the SL11. These will replace the New Routemasters and Gemini 2s at a later date. The SL11 was expected to receive new next-generation ADL Enviro400EVs. However, this will not be happening. The SL11 currently operates from Morden Wharf (MG) garage. The route will transfer to Thamesmead (TD) garage using BD11s on an unconfirmed date. The SL11 runs between North Greenwich and Abbey Wood via Woolwich and Thamesmead. The route runs every 6 to 10 minutes. The SL11 is a limited-stop express route, stopping at around 13 stops. #bus #superloop