A new electric express bus route connecting Waterloo and Lewisham has officially launched under the name Bakerloop BL1. Operated by Go-Ahead London and forming part of the growing Superloop network, the service begins on Saturday 27 September and will be free to use for all passengers during its first week.
The BL1 is the first inner-orbital route in the Superloop network, designed to improve travel across key areas in South and Central London without requiring a detour through Zone 1. The express service connects major transport hubs including Waterloo, Elephant & Castle, New Cross Gate, and Lewisham, aiming to ease congestion and offer quicker journey times across the corridor.
Image © TfL
The route will be operated by a new fleet of Wrightbus Electroliner double-deckers, part of a recent delivery of 40 units to Go-Ahead London. These zero-emission buses have already been seen on Route 230 as part of initial rollout and training ahead of the BL1 launch. Each vehicle is fully electric and wrapped in a distinct brown Superloop livery, differentiating it from the red liveries used on other outer-orbital Superloop routes.
The Mayor of London’s office confirmed the service will run free of charge for its first week to encourage uptake and provide passengers with a chance to experience the new route. The free period applies to Pay As You Go users and is being promoted as a trial to demonstrate the benefits of improved orbital connections.
The full list of stops for the BL1 is as follows:
Towards Lewisham:
Waterloo (Waterloo Road), Elephant & Castle (London Road), Elephant & Castle (New Kent Road), Burgess Park (Dunton Road), Old Kent Road (Ilderton Road), New Cross Gate, Lewisham (Loampit Vale), and Molesworth Street.
Towards Waterloo:
Lewisham Centre, Lewisham Clock Tower, Lewisham (Loampit Vale), New Cross Gate, Old Kent Road (Ilderton Road), Burgess Park (Dunton Road), Elephant & Castle (New Kent Road), Elephant & Castle (London Road), and Waterloo (Waterloo Road).
Image © London Bus Forums
With a route length designed to balance express speed and key local access, the BL1 is expected to appeal to both commuters and local residents. Its introduction is also seen as a strategic move in TfL’s longer-term goal of creating a more connected and sustainable transport network across Greater London.
The success of the BL1 trial could influence the rollout of similar inner-orbital Superloop services, especially as TfL continues to transition to an all-electric bus fleet in the years ahead.
Further updates will follow as passenger data is gathered and the service enters full fare-paying operation after the initial launch week.
