Heathrow-bound: the SL7 is one of three SuperLoop routes introduced in 2023 which link Croydon to outer and central London
The SL7 SuperLoop bus that runs the near-marathon length route from West Croydon to Heathrow Airport has been given a reprieve.
Draft proposals to reduce the route, and have it start only from Sutton, with the SL5 extended from Bromley through Croydon to Sutton, were leaked last year amid suggestions that the long journey times in built-up traffic were seeing the electric buses running low on fuel.
At 24 miles long, the SL7 is London’s longest bus route, with journeys all the way from West Croydon to Heathrow supposed to take 1hr 42min.
But even with bus priority lanes and a reduced number of stops, the journey can often take longer. Or, as Transport for London would have it, the SL7 is “susceptible to traffic conditions as it travels through key town centres and shopping hubs in outer London”.
An announcement from TfL this week has confirmed that the SL7 – what used to be the X26 route – is here to stay.
The SuperLoop routes have generally been welcomed as a positive improvement to public transport in outer London since their introduction in 2023, adding almost 4million miles to London’s bus network, with stops in 23 boroughs and serving 55 bus and rail stations.
The SL7 has been doubled in frequency since the SuperLoop was introduced, running every 15minutes.
Croydon’s other SuperLoop routes are the SL5 to Bromley North and the SL6 from Russell Square to West Croydon via West Norwood, Waterloo and Holborn (Monday to Friday peak services only).
Going forward: the SuperLoop system map, as at May 2025, with the SL7, Sl5 and SL6 all serving Croydon destinations
And SuperLoop buses operate the same fares system as all other London buses. For £1.75, you can travel direct from West Croydon to Heathrow Airport.
The route reprieve has come after some urgent lobbying of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
Addiscombe councillor Sean Fitzsimons said this week, “Residents told me that changing buses at Sutton would probably put them off using the service, especially at night time.
“I was also concerned that this was a threat to Croydon’s economy as it reduced our direct connections across south-west London to places like Kingston and Heathrow Airport.
“So it is good news that Sadiq Khan and TfL have listened to Croydon residents and that Croydon residents can continue to travel the 24-mile trip for the cost of a single bus fare.”
As Inside Croydon found out in 2022, it is possible to travel from Croydon to Heathrow using Thameslink and Elizabeth line trains in 1hr 15min – almost half-an-hour quicker than taking the bus, although with significantly more expensive fares.
Read more: Not so superloopy about our Superloop route into London
Read more: Lick of paint and a new logo won’t get our axed bus routes back
Read more: All change for Elizabeth Line trains on faster track to Heathrow
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Good news.
That route used to go all the way from Dartford to Heathrow.
Even further back it was Gravesend to Windsor!
I have just noticed that the SL route numbers correspond to hours on a clock face, except for two of the three centre to rim routes.
Good news for Croydon for a change.. When I travel to Heathrow the bus is invaluable asset. Once on bus I don’t have to worry about changing. Safety issues are minimal. Travel with young children and people with mobility issues is easier. It may be quicker to use the Elizabeth line but try that journey with suitcases and young children in tow. Presumably the requisite impact assessment that should have been conducted by TFL would have highlighted the negative outcomes relating to safety, mobility impairments that would have been caused by TFL’s initial cost cutting proposal.
Perhaps TFL could sort out the congestion points?
Although if their failure to phase the traffic lights properly in Selsdon for the last 30 years is anything to go by, it’s a forlorn hope
How?
Between Sutton and New Malden there is no viable alternative route. It can take as much as 20 minutes for an SL7 to get down the hill at Worcester Park.
I agree that prioritising buses at traffic lights would help, but only once the bus is near enough to benefit. A proposed bus lane at Worcester Park would have been too short and would only have benefited the terminating 151.
Private cars without passengers are one of the main reasons for congestion, along with the school run, but the solution would be unpalatable to most drivers.
The SL7 is popular for being cheap (£1.75) and frequent, but is a decidedly unpleasant bus to travel on –
Downstairs the luggage racks reduce the number of seats, particularly when a bus has centre doors (which the electrics will have).
The priority seats are often occupied by selfish people who don’t need them and could stand or go upstairs.
Upstairs there are often people asleep, and who wants to sit behind, or worse still, next to them? And woe betide anyone with the temerity to open a window disturbing their sleep.
I read there was a bus X26 long time ago but never knew where to get it from or if it was a 24hr service. Now I here its called SL7. I’m not from Croydon but hate flights from Heathrow as its such an expensive trek to get to. I usually take a train into Victoria then a National Express coach. Would love to find a cheaper route. I live in Merstham so in day time can get a 405 bus to West Croydon. But what then, where does SL7 go from?
I used to get the X26 in the seventies and eighties – it was great. ‘Sir’ Sadiq has rebranded it as a loopy idea for his own self-aggrandisement. Now it’s threatened
The SL7 is not “threatened”, Chris. Far from it.
The only thing being loopy around here are the far-right whingers and racists who, even after achieving their Brexit dream, are uncomfortable about our city having a Muslim elected Mayor three times.
Myers needs to pay attention to current affairs instead of living in the past (and reminiscing about a bus route that only became the “X26” in 2005):
“SuperLoop route to Heathrow will continue to serve Croydon” – posted on May 30, 2025 –
https://insidecroydon.com/2025/05/30/superloop-route-to-heathrow-will-continue-to-serve-croydon/
It will be interesting to see how the electric buses on order for the SL7 cope with the longest route in London. Delivery date as yet unknown.
There are physical tracks that could connect Croydon to Heathrow via the West London Line – I don’t see why the can’t implement a “Croydon Express” train.