BL1 – Proposed express bus route between Waterloo and Lewisham town centre

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We would like your feedback on proposals to expand the Superloop network with a new express bus route called the Bakerloop which would be numbered BL1.

Use the following buttons to find out more about the BL1 proposal, watch a short animation, view maps, and have your say about the route.

You have until Friday 14 March 2025 to give us your feedback.


Proposals

Proposed route BL1 would provide an express link between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle and Lewisham town centre. This would provide much needed connectivity between these areas, and would support our future proposals to deliver the Bakerloo line extension(External link).


As part of the Superloop family, the BL1 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive, and reliable.

Subject to the outcome of consultation and bus route tests, we would like the BL1 to operate using double deck buses including other Superloop accessibility features and on-board facilities such as USB charging points and travel information.

Also subject to the outcome of consultation, should we decide to proceed to introduce route BL1, unique design features inspired by the Bakerloo line would be developed.


Image showing geographic map of proposed new route Bl1Click on map for larger version


Proposed timetable, routeing, and bus stops

The BL1 Bakerloop would run:

  • Seven days a week
  • Operating between 05:00 and 00:30 (it would not operate through the night)
  • Every 12 minutes during the daytime from Monday to Saturday
  • Every 15 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays

In line with what is proposed for a future Bakerloo line extension, the BL1 Bakerloop would start and stop at Waterloo, via the following key transport interchanges and town centres: Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, Burgess Park (Dunton Road), Old Kent Road (Ilderton Road), New Cross Gate, Lewisham station and town centre.


Image of linear map showing proposed BL1 bus stopsClick on map for larger version


The route aims to create new and direct journey links between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham; and easier connections between London Underground, London Overground, DLR, National Rail and other bus routes. We selected bus stop locations with this in mind.

However, we would like your feedback on whether these are the right places and bus stops for the new route.

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

At Waterloo we think the BL1 would start and stop on Waterloo Road, at the same bus stops that route 172 does now. This is for ease of access, including step-free access to Tube and National Rail services.

In Elephant & Castle it is proposed the BL1 would stop on both sides of the junction, at London Road and New Kent Road.

The bus stop at London Road aims to provide convenient access to the Bakerloo line at Elephant & Castle Tube station.

The bus stop at New Kent Road aims to provide convenient access to both the Northern line at Elephant & Castle Tube station and National Rail services from Elephant & Castle train station.

In Lewisham we expect the BL1 would use the same bus stops as route 21 between Lewisham High Street and Lewisham Station/Loampit Vale. This aims to maximise opportunities to connect with other popular public transport services.


Image of network map showing proposed BL1 bus stopsClick on map for larger version


The next map shows the proposed BL1 route and how this would fit into an expanded Superloop network.


Image of Superloop expansion network map with route BL1Click on map for larger version



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We would like your feedback on proposals to expand the Superloop network with a new express bus route called the Bakerloop which would be numbered BL1.

Use the following buttons to find out more about the BL1 proposal, watch a short animation, view maps, and have your say about the route.

You have until Friday 14 March 2025 to give us your feedback.


Proposals

Proposed route BL1 would provide an express link between Waterloo, Elephant & Castle and Lewisham town centre. This would provide much needed connectivity between these areas, and would support our future proposals to deliver the Bakerloo line extension(External link).


As part of the Superloop family, the BL1 service would be frequent, simple, inclusive, and reliable.

Subject to the outcome of consultation and bus route tests, we would like the BL1 to operate using double deck buses including other Superloop accessibility features and on-board facilities such as USB charging points and travel information.

Also subject to the outcome of consultation, should we decide to proceed to introduce route BL1, unique design features inspired by the Bakerloo line would be developed.


Image showing geographic map of proposed new route Bl1Click on map for larger version


Proposed timetable, routeing, and bus stops

The BL1 Bakerloop would run:

  • Seven days a week
  • Operating between 05:00 and 00:30 (it would not operate through the night)
  • Every 12 minutes during the daytime from Monday to Saturday
  • Every 15 minutes in the evenings and on Sundays

In line with what is proposed for a future Bakerloo line extension, the BL1 Bakerloop would start and stop at Waterloo, via the following key transport interchanges and town centres: Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, Burgess Park (Dunton Road), Old Kent Road (Ilderton Road), New Cross Gate, Lewisham station and town centre.


Image of linear map showing proposed BL1 bus stopsClick on map for larger version


The route aims to create new and direct journey links between Elephant & Castle and Lewisham; and easier connections between London Underground, London Overground, DLR, National Rail and other bus routes. We selected bus stop locations with this in mind.

However, we would like your feedback on whether these are the right places and bus stops for the new route.

You can let us know what you think of these proposals by completing our survey.

At Waterloo we think the BL1 would start and stop on Waterloo Road, at the same bus stops that route 172 does now. This is for ease of access, including step-free access to Tube and National Rail services.

In Elephant & Castle it is proposed the BL1 would stop on both sides of the junction, at London Road and New Kent Road.

The bus stop at London Road aims to provide convenient access to the Bakerloo line at Elephant & Castle Tube station.

The bus stop at New Kent Road aims to provide convenient access to both the Northern line at Elephant & Castle Tube station and National Rail services from Elephant & Castle train station.

In Lewisham we expect the BL1 would use the same bus stops as route 21 between Lewisham High Street and Lewisham Station/Loampit Vale. This aims to maximise opportunities to connect with other popular public transport services.


Image of network map showing proposed BL1 bus stopsClick on map for larger version


The next map shows the proposed BL1 route and how this would fit into an expanded Superloop network.


Image of Superloop expansion network map with route BL1Click on map for larger version



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Page last updated: 03 Feb 2025, 03:38 PM