London’s ‘Superloop’ spans some 85 miles of road - just 30 miles shy of the M25’s distance.
Now, a new section of the capital’s orbital bus network is being proposed as Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan says he’ll add a route between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham if he’s re-elected - dubbed the 'Bakerloop'.
But his Tory rival, Susan Hall, says Khan should focus on delivering a £10 billion Bakerloo line extension to Bromley, which is currently unfunded.
It comes a fortnight after the completion of the express network, with the additions of routes SL2 linking Walthamstow and North Woolwich; SL3, linking Thamesmead and Bromley North; and SL5, linking Bromley North with Croydon town centre.
According to Transport for London, the Superloop now connects people using it with 310 other bus routes, 49 rail stations and 23 different rail lines.
Early journey data shows almost half of all Superloop journeys involve an interchange with another mode of public transport.
But the network’s has also been criticised for not reaching some parts of outer London, with the borough of Havering left entirely unserved by the network.
It comes as commuters brace for days of fresh travel misery as a wave of train and Underground strikes were announced.
So, should we start talking about New York-style express routes on rail and Tube routes to help keep the capital moving?
For the latest, Mark Blunden’s joined on this episode aboard a route SL1 bus, linking Walthamstow Central and North Finchley, by the Standard’s transport editor, Ross Lydall.
Listen above, or wherever you find your podcasts.
