New Express Bus Route SL15 Proposed Between Clapham Junction and Eltham

TfL is inviting feedback on a new express bus service, Route SL15, which would operate between Clapham Junction station and Eltham Station in south London. The consultation is open until Sunday 30 November 2025.

What is SL15?

The proposed Route SL15 would run via Tulse Hill and Catford Town Centre, primarily following the A205 South Circular Road. 
As part of the "Superloop" family of services, SL15 is intended to be a high-frequency, simple, inclusive and reliable express bus route.

Because of a low railway bridge on Thurlow Park Road, SL15 would operate with single-deck buses (rather than double-deck) to ensure safe clearance. The vehicles would include accessibility features and on-board amenities such as USB charging points and travel information displays.

Service pattern and operation

Under the proposal:

• SL15 would run seven days a week, approximately from 05:00 to 00:30.

• Frequency would be about every 12 minutes on Monday to Saturday during the day, and every 15 minutes in the evenings, on Sundays, and in early-morning weekday slots. 

• Night-time through-services are not proposed.

Bus stops would be limited to key interchange locations, town centres and busy destinations, including eight rail stations. Feedback is being sought on whether the proposed stops are appropriate.

Why this route?

The new route would:

• Expand the Superloop network and encourage more sustainable journeys across south London.

• Help reduce waiting times and crowding at bus stops, particularly benefiting users of routes such as P13, 160 and 185.

• Provide direct journey opportunities between areas such as Battersea/Clapham Junction, Clapham Park, Brixton Hill, Tulse Hill, West Dulwich, Catford, Lee and Eltham. 

• Create new interchanges among 77 other bus routes and 8 train stations, improving network connectivity. 

Potential impacts & changes

While TfL expects a positive overall impact, there may be some downsides:

• Some existing bus stops may change, particularly around Clapham Junction, which could mean walking times increase or decrease by up to two minutes for some passengers.

• Discussions are underway around modifying bus stop/stand arrangements at Clapham Junction (in partnership with the London Borough of Wandsworth) and at Eltham Station (in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich) to accommodate the route.

TfL has completed an initial equality-impact assessment and will update it after consultation responses are considered.

How you can have your say

Anyone wishing to submit views or concerns can complete the online survey — it takes around 10 minutes.
The consultation closes Sunday 30 November 2025.

After the consultation ends, TfL will review all responses and publish a consultation report that will inform whether the route goes ahead and in what form.

A wider network context

The Superloop initiative launched in 2023 and currently includes 11 routes in service.
New routes including SL11 and SL12 are planned, and SL15 would build on that expansion.