London's New Superloop SL12 Bus: Route, Stops and How to Ride Free

The SL12 will travel between Ilford and Rainham via Romford from 5 September. Here's how to ride free for the first week.

East Londoners, a new speedy bus route is coming your way. You may have spotted back in March the news that TfL was planning a new Superloop bus route on the outskirts of east London. Well, it arrives next week.

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The new SL12, which will offer better links to the Underground, Overground and Elizabeth line between Ilford and Rainham, is ready to launch — and it'll be free to ride for the first seven days. Ahead of its debut journey, here's everything you need to know about the new Superloop bus route.

Where will the SL12 go?

New Superloop buses will travel between Gants Hill in Ilford and Ferry Lane in Rainham via Romford. It'll trace the same route as the 66 between Gants Hill and Romford for part of its journey, before joining routes 165 and 372 in connecting Elm Park and Rainham.

The SL12's arrival provides quicker access to the Elizabeth line at Romford, plus links to the District line at Elm Park, the Central line at Newbury Park and connections with Superloop route SL2 at Gants Hill.

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When does the SL12 launch?

The first SL12 Superloop bus will set off on Saturday 5 September.

Once in service, the new route will run from 5.30am until 12.30am at night, seven days a week. From Monday to Saturday buses run every 12 minutes, easing to every 15 minutes on Sundays.

When is the SL12 free to ride?

You'll be able to hop on and off the new Superloop bus free for the first week of service. That's right — pay-as-you-go fares will be free from 5.30am on 5 September until 11.59pm on 11 September.

You'll still need to touch in with a valid Oyster or contactless card, but you won't be charged for the journey.】

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Full list of SL12 stops

• Gants Hill Station

• Horns Road (Eastbound) / Ley Street (Westbound)

• Newbury Park Station (London Underground)

• Barley Lane

• Eastern Avenue Padnall Road (Eastbound) / East Road (Westbound)

• Eastern Avenue West Mawney Road

• Western Road

• Romford Station

• Queen's Hospital Romford

• Elm Park Station

• Mungo Park Road Freebourne Gardens

• South End Road Ford Lane

• Cherry Tree Lane Dunedin Road

• Rainham Tesco

• Rainham Station (South Side, National Rail)

• Ferry Lane Industrial Estate