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Tuesday, 6 August 2024

Superloop Updates: Perceptions Report Reveals Success, Expenditure Revealed, Bus Priority Plans, And Upcoming New Routes

The Superloop Is Coming - Image by GLA

This is a follow-up to my previous article "Updates On TfL's Superloop Express Services: Reports About Performance And Reliability."

A Freedom of Information Request to Transport for London (TfL) has revealed further updates about the Superloop, which is a network of express branded bus services in Greater London.

Let's take a read:

Request ID: FOI-1129-2425
Date published: 05 August 2024

Question:

This is a follow-up to my previous request in regards to the release of 2CV reports.
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-4655-2324
According to one post from a remarkable blog, the author has quoted one of your items about the Superloop for the upcoming panel about customer service and operational performance.

https://clondoner92.blogspot.com/2024/07/updates-on-tfls-superloop-express.html

You said at paragraph 4.22: "In May 2024, we concluded the second and final wave to test understanding and awareness of the new routes (SL10, SL1, SL5, SL3 and SL2)."

1. Would you be able to publish the final wave of your reports, please?

Answer:
Attached is a copy of the wave 2 research you refer to.  The research was concluded at the end of May. We then went through revisions, amendments, and approval throughout June, and have finalised the report this month (July).

Question 2. Can you reveal the expenditure for the Superloop project, including breakdowns and totals?

Answer:
If we are classing project costs as the set-up costs excluding tender costs, then we spent £5.3m across operations and capital in 2023/24. This included spend on marketing, consultation, branding, maintenance, bus shelters, welfare and count down signs.   The tendering of the routes themselves was a further £7.7m.

The ongoing annual costs including tender costs is c£34m, which will be partially offset by passenger income.

Question 3. As mentioned in the blog post linked above, can you publish the document on the provision of bus priority on Superloop corridors?

Answer: Bus journey times matter to Londoners and are one of the top drivers of customer satisfaction and encourage increased bus usage.  We are committed to supporting the successful concept of Superloop through increasing the provision of bus priority measures including, but not limited to, new bus lanes, extended bus lane operating hours, removal or consolidation of parking and loading bays and corridor and junction redesign to expedite bus passage for both Superloop and parallel bus services serving these corridors.

To optimise customer benefits, we have considered the opportunities to enhance the street environment so that Superloop buses can offer fast and reliable journeys. Attached is the programme information regarding the identification of the Superloop complementary bus priority programme.

To date we have implemented the following projects delivering bus priority on the Superloop network:
 
• A1400 Woodford Avenue, LB Redbridge:  1.6km new bus lanes operating 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.  This supports route SL2. Please note that the bus lane is currently suspended whilst we collect bus and traffic data.

• Bowes Road, LB Enfield:  200m new bus lane on the borough road network. This project supports route SL1 and completion of the construction works is imminent.

We are in the process of meeting the local authorities served by Superloop services to ascertain their proposed locations for improvements, funding requirements and programmes.  Further details on this cannot be provided at this current time until the meeting series has concluded.

On the Transport for London Road Network, our current programme of works is attached.  Please note that these projects are subject to feasibility design, traffic modelling and public consultation.

Question 4. When is TfL going to launch the next stage of the Superloop, including the Bakerloop, as part of the Labour Mayor's manifesto commitment?

Answer: As with any bus improvement changes and new routes, it is all subject to consultation with Londoners. We are looking into the details currently with no confirmed dates or locations set in stone yet, but the routes will be planned with how best they can serve key locations in outer London in mind, including popular town centres, busy transport hubs and public services such as hospitals.

I would like to say thanks to the person making the FOI request and linking to my articles as references to obtain specific information about the Superloop express bus services.

It's quite disappointing that the upcoming proposed new Superloop routes haven't been revealed at the moment.

Taking a look through the attachments of the FOI request, here are some of the texts revealing the success of the Superloop bus services:

Wave 2 - Superloop User Perceptions Research June 2024

Summary of Findings & Recommendations

Customers on the Superloop recognise and understand the service, with branding helping it to stand out
• Almost all respondents are aware of the Superloop when prompted (99% in wave 1 and 94% in wave 2), however there is room to grow spontaneous awareness across wave 2 routes, particularly the SL1, 3 and 5
• Customers connect well with the branding, helping to differentiate the service from other TfL buses, making it distinct as ‘The Superloop’
• Most understand the Superloop to be an express service – however knowledge that it connects Outer London is weaker

Improving services in Outer London has fostered positive perceptions of TfL
• Respondents support the importance of connecting Outer London through PT, particularly those without access to cars
• The creation of the Superloop demonstrates that TfL is working to improve PT access, options and experience for customers
• However, there is some further work to be done to convince commuters of the positive changes that TfL is working towards

Positive experiences have meant the service has quickly developed loyalty amongst customers
• 9 in 10 customers say that their experience on the Superloop is better than other TfL buses
• This is driven by the speed of the service, creating a shorter journey time. Additionally, the Superloop has increased opportunity for travel using PT by servicing the key stops that customers need to go to
• This has led almost all customers to say that they would use the service again – particularly commuters

Customers are starting to utilise the Superloop for its intended purpose – as a connecting ‘loop’ of services
• Across wave 2, over a third state that they have used another Superloop service, however there is room to grow this on the SL3 with only 1 in 4 having used another Superloop service
• Customers are most likely to have used other routes which connect to their current service at Superloop ‘hubs’

As for their plans on improving bus priority for the Superloop:

Superloop Bus Priority – Identification of potential projects and proposed next steps

The need for bus priority

• To optimise the mode shift and customer benefits of Superloop we need to consider what opportunities there are to enhance the street environment so that Superloop buses can offer fast and reliable journeys
• Initial analysis shows that almost 30 per cent of Superloop (c.I35km) is planned to run on streets identified as needing performance enhancement
• We should look for opportunities to lock in priority for buses (i.e., bus lanes, bus lane hours extension, kerbside rationalisation) on the network to futureproof performance and deliver reliability for customers

Bus Priority Identification

• A total of 176 potential schemes have been identified for prioritisation: 35 on the TLRN and 131 on the BRN Schemes interventions include:
• Bus lanes
• Bus lane hour extension
• Parking removal or consolidation
• Junction modification
• Pipeline corridor outcome definition

1. Desktop Review + Bus Route Tests

• 183 km covering routes SL9, SLIO, SLI, SL2 and SL3 were assessed in two parts - desktop review to identify bus lane potential based on extra carriageway space and bus rides to see where non bus lane bus priority could be implemented
• Approximately 17km has been identified as having potential for new bus lanes through a high level assessment with our engineers and traffic modellers
• The main reasons bus priority cannot be taken forward in more locations are
a) spatial constraints - i.e., single carriageway streets),
b) traffic capacity - where taking out a general lane of traffic would have capacity implications, or
c) stretches of parking in residential or high street areas.

2. Healthy Streets Pipeline

• SL5, SL7 and SL8 are covered, or partially covered, by Healthy Streets pipeline corridors

3. Not included (with the exemption of bus lane hour extension)

• For SL6 bus priority has been implemented where possible and further potential was limited. Therefore this route has been excluded.
• SL4 is dependant on the Silvertown Tunnel but also the interventions / changes to the landscape on the approach to/from the tunnel. Some thinking is being done by the project team but for now this has been excluded from the prioritisation.

I would like to point out that the bus lanes and priority measures are important not only for buses but for the emergency services as they help improve their response times. That is why I published an article to raise awareness about it. Also, I have an article making the case that bus lanes and priority measures open the door for new rapid transit schemes, which include new Tram lines.

The Superloop should be a 'rapid transit' scheme with the help of increasing bus priority measures.

For further interest, I reveal some previous FOI requests about the Superloop that I tweeted on X (formerly Twitter).

As I have loads of ideas to improve public transport for London and beyond (including the Superloop), here are my articles for further reading.

Why is Creativity in Public Transport Important, Including Bus Route Planning and Branding?

Suggestion: Transport for London Should Revive the Old Speedbus Proposal From the 1970s as Part of Phase 2 of the Superloop

Suggestion: London Passenger Transport Area Including London Country Buses Should Be Revived To Enhance Cross-Boundary Connections

Suggestion: I Believe It’s Time for a New Regional Transport Body for the South East of England?(This will require change to the legislation in Parliament).

I Believe TfL Should Reform The Travelcard Agreement To Offer Smart Flexible Ticketing Options

Suggestion: The Administrative Divisions in England should be reformed and restructured to simplify responsibilities

We Should Learn About The Critical National Infrastructure And Why Public Transport Is Important For The Economy And Society

You are welcome to share my ideas to raise awareness to improve public transport; this can include engaging with your local elected official, such as a Councillor or a Member of Parliament.

I invite you to follow me on X by searching for @CLondoner92 or by clicking on the direct link to my X page here. I'm also on BlueSky and Mastodon.

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