'Backwater' London village desperate for faster buses ahead of Superloop 2 but TfL rejects idea
Residents have urged Transport for London (TfL) to change one of its Superloop routes so it stops in a village in the South East of the city. A petition for express services to stop in Bexley Village has garnered 1,500 signatures.
But officials have rejected the idea. The document was launched on September 7 by the Conservative MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Louie French, and two councillors. They want to see the SL3 bus route running between Thamesmead and Bromley to stop in the area, News Shopper reports.
Superloop buses stop fewer times so customers get to where they need to go more quickly. Sadiq Khan says the network has transformed the way people navigate Outer London.
READ MORE: The London bus Superloop route with the most positive feedback despite traffic issues
Bexley Village residents told MyLondon in March that they were 'miffed' at missing out on the service. Barbara Russell, 75, said: "Our train service has always been know as the 'misery line' because it’s never been any good.
"If it [a Superloop service] stopped at the memorial, it would be absolutely wonderful." She added: "I think we're considered a backwater."
Ali Segin, 23, works at Master Fryer, a fish and chip shop in the high street. He said: "Honestly, Bexley feels a bit underdeveloped. It’s like a little village that’s slowly being forgotten about over time."
TfL 'carefully considered potential changes'
A TfL spokesperson said: “Buses are a central part of our transport system and we’re always looking at how we can improve and adapt the bus network to make it better for everyone. We have carefully considered potential changes to the SL3, yet the number of passengers it would delay would significantly outweigh those who would use it to and from Bexley Village.
“While it has not been possible to include a stop in Bexley on the Superloop network so far, we will continue to monitor and review all Superloop routes to get a full understanding of how customers are using the network, working with local councils, including Bexley Council, to improve the bus network across the capital.”
Sadiq Khan announced during the mayoral election campaign in the spring that he would introduce more Superloop bus routes, which would be known as Superloop 2. These would include:
Harrow to Barnet via Edgware
South Havering to Leytonstone via Romford
Hounslow to Hammersmith
Streatham to Eltham via Catford
Ealing to Kingston via Richmond
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