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| The Superloop is Coming - Released by FOI Request |
Taking a look through the Freedom of Information (FOI) requests on the Transport for London (TfL) website, I have noticed one interesting FOI request about the Superloop. Then I noticed that the person who made the request had sent them links to my tweets and my article for reference to their questions.
I have added a comment to TfL's answer to the question.
Request ID: FOI-3938-2324
Date published: 23 February 2024
1. What has enabled the New Routemaster to be used on the SL3? Can you release details about this?
Surplus New Routemasters (NRM) vehicles were available for use on route SL3 as a result of other route contract changes a few months ago.
I have added a comment to TfL's answer to the question.
Request ID: FOI-3938-2324
Date published: 23 February 2024
1. What has enabled the New Routemaster to be used on the SL3? Can you release details about this?
Surplus New Routemasters (NRM) vehicles were available for use on route SL3 as a result of other route contract changes a few months ago.
TfL had responded to 261 comments on the SL3 consultation requesting for New Routemasters to be used, which were mentioned in my previous article. I have also covered it on Twitter/X.
It's been revealed that #TfL's #Superloop route SL3, which is a new express route between Thamesmead and Bromley. They will be using three-door, two-staircase hybrid buses named New Routemaster.https://t.co/vBzMXoGZb8https://t.co/wv3vSc9H6U pic.twitter.com/XijNTJIeXR
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) December 14, 2023
2. Why did TfL choose to use the single deck buses for the SL5? Are there restrictions such as low bridges, low trees etc. on the route?
Low trees preclude the use of Double-deck vehicles on SL5.
3. Are there plans to use double deck buses on the SL5 in the near future?
The use of Single-deck vehicles for the SL5 service is subject to review and could be operated with Double-deck vehicles pending a review of demand and discussions with the relevant Boroughs on the pruning of trees that would be required.
4. Will the new Superloop buses have a new interior design, including a colour scheme for handrails, wall coverings and moquette on seats to represent your Superloop branding instead of the interior design selected by bus operating companies? As compared to other branded services in the UK such as Bristol MetroBus, Glider in Belfast, Harrogate 36, Fastrack Kent etc. as they have their own interior design to represent their services.
There are no immediate plans of this nature.
5. Can you release information about the rapid transit bus network in Thamesmead as part of the vision for the new Docklands 2.0 announced by the government?
https://twitter.com/CLondoner92/status/1727373150391042368
Please see our website for more information on this at the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/dlr-extension. Please also see our press release for further information. In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
I have revealed on the tweet below about a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in Thamesmead, which is part of the agenda item for TfL's Programmes and Investment Committee.
Low trees preclude the use of Double-deck vehicles on SL5.
3. Are there plans to use double deck buses on the SL5 in the near future?
The use of Single-deck vehicles for the SL5 service is subject to review and could be operated with Double-deck vehicles pending a review of demand and discussions with the relevant Boroughs on the pruning of trees that would be required.
4. Will the new Superloop buses have a new interior design, including a colour scheme for handrails, wall coverings and moquette on seats to represent your Superloop branding instead of the interior design selected by bus operating companies? As compared to other branded services in the UK such as Bristol MetroBus, Glider in Belfast, Harrogate 36, Fastrack Kent etc. as they have their own interior design to represent their services.
There are no immediate plans of this nature.
5. Can you release information about the rapid transit bus network in Thamesmead as part of the vision for the new Docklands 2.0 announced by the government?
https://twitter.com/CLondoner92/status/1727373150391042368
Please see our website for more information on this at the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/planning-for-the-future/dlr-extension. Please also see our press release for further information. In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.
I have revealed on the tweet below about a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network in Thamesmead, which is part of the agenda item for TfL's Programmes and Investment Committee.
Highlights of the Agenda papers for #TfL's Programmes and Investment Committee - 28 February 2024
— CLondoner92 (@CLondoner92) February 21, 2024
Updates on:
Bus Transit between Thamesmead, Woolwich and Abbey Wood
West #London Orbital
Bakerloo Line Extension
London Underground upgradeshttps://t.co/X2kUO9TccA pic.twitter.com/lXWVk6RWA1
6. Are there any plans to expand the Superloop services and create new Bus Rapid Transport/Transit schemes, as mentioned in your Bus Action Plan? If yes, would you be able to release the proposals?
There are no current plans to expand Superloop beyond the schemes already consulted on but we will continue to look at options and will carry out consultation on any new proposals.
Recently, I have suggested that TfL should revive the Speedbus proposal from the 1970s to help expand the Superloop in response to Andy Lord (the Commissioner of TfL) stating that he has the ambition of launching "phase two of Superloop" and the London Assembly Transport Committee's recommendation to introduce new orbital bus services and further bus priority measures.
7. An author of his blog has suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that TfL should use articulated/bendy electric buses with tram design for the Superloop. Is TfL aware of the suggestion, and do they plan to purchase and use these vehicles in the future for their Superloop and the Bus Rapid Transport schemes to increase capacity and improve accessibility?
https://clondoner92.blogspot.com/2024/01/transport-for-londons-2023-consultation.html
https://twitter.com/CLondoner92/status/1742300348600012964
There are no immediate plans for changes to the vehicle types used on the current Superloop network, however this will be kept under review in the light of actual operational experience.
That is interesting, but we have to see in the near future if TfL takes on my suggestion to use tram-style bendy buses for the Superloop and BRT services to increase capacity and improve accessibility.
8. Are there plans to include the Superloop on the Tube Map and Tube and Rail Map?
We are reviewing how Superloop appears on all mapping products, including the London Underground map.
In my opinion, the current Tube Map is too congested for the pocket Tube Map. But it will be interesting to see if they intend to find space to add the Superloop express bus services to the Tube Map, but the Tube and (National) Rail map has plenty of space.
9. Why did TfL choose to use the 'SL' prefix for the Superloop routes instead of the 'X' prefix?
The SL prefix was decided upon following specific customer research to determine the most appropriate prefix for these services.
Before TfL started to bring in the SL prefix, I did suggest (in private) that TfL should have a prefix for the Superloop services to make it simple and easy instead of a mix of X prefix routes.
I invite you to follow me on Twitter/X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my Twitter/X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.
There are no current plans to expand Superloop beyond the schemes already consulted on but we will continue to look at options and will carry out consultation on any new proposals.
Recently, I have suggested that TfL should revive the Speedbus proposal from the 1970s to help expand the Superloop in response to Andy Lord (the Commissioner of TfL) stating that he has the ambition of launching "phase two of Superloop" and the London Assembly Transport Committee's recommendation to introduce new orbital bus services and further bus priority measures.
7. An author of his blog has suggested on X (formerly Twitter) that TfL should use articulated/bendy electric buses with tram design for the Superloop. Is TfL aware of the suggestion, and do they plan to purchase and use these vehicles in the future for their Superloop and the Bus Rapid Transport schemes to increase capacity and improve accessibility?
https://clondoner92.blogspot.com/2024/01/transport-for-londons-2023-consultation.html
https://twitter.com/CLondoner92/status/1742300348600012964
There are no immediate plans for changes to the vehicle types used on the current Superloop network, however this will be kept under review in the light of actual operational experience.
That is interesting, but we have to see in the near future if TfL takes on my suggestion to use tram-style bendy buses for the Superloop and BRT services to increase capacity and improve accessibility.
8. Are there plans to include the Superloop on the Tube Map and Tube and Rail Map?
We are reviewing how Superloop appears on all mapping products, including the London Underground map.
In my opinion, the current Tube Map is too congested for the pocket Tube Map. But it will be interesting to see if they intend to find space to add the Superloop express bus services to the Tube Map, but the Tube and (National) Rail map has plenty of space.
9. Why did TfL choose to use the 'SL' prefix for the Superloop routes instead of the 'X' prefix?
The SL prefix was decided upon following specific customer research to determine the most appropriate prefix for these services.
Before TfL started to bring in the SL prefix, I did suggest (in private) that TfL should have a prefix for the Superloop services to make it simple and easy instead of a mix of X prefix routes.
I invite you to follow me on Twitter/X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my Twitter/X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.
