SL7 bus offers 23-mile London journey for £1.75
Transport for London's Superloop route connects West Croydon to Heathrow Airport.
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The central claim is attributed to TfL, but no specific documents or named individuals are cited.
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The article explains why the bus route matters and names specific locations and dates, but lacks quotes from affected parties.
Context, balance and separation of fact from comment. Higher is better.
The headline highlights the low cost and long distance, which is supported by the article's content.
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Londoners can traverse approximately 23 miles across the capital for a single fare of £1.75 on the SL7 bus route. This service, operated by Transport for London (TfL), is part of the Superloop network and connects West Croydon Bus Station with Heathrow Central Bus Station. The journey, which can take over two hours depending on traffic conditions, allows passengers to travel between outer London boroughs without passing through the city centre.
The SL7 functions as an express service, making limited stops at locations including Wallington, Carshalton, Sutton, Cheam, Worcester Park, New Malden, Kingston upon Thames, and Teddington. Passengers benefit from a flat fare system, meaning the £1.75 cost applies whether travelling the full 23 miles or just a few stops. This fare also activates TfL’s Hopper scheme, permitting unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of the initial touch-in, with no additional charge for journeys exceeding 60 minutes on the same bus.
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Route introduction and future fare changes
Transport for London introduced the SL7 in August 2023, replacing the previous X26 service as part of the Superloop expansion. The frequency of the service was also increased, with buses now running every 15 minutes, compared to the previous 30-minute interval. While the current fare remains £1.75, TfL has announced that the standard adult bus fare across London will increase to £1.85 from November 1, 2026.
The SL7 is recognised as one of London's longest bus routes. However, an analysis updated on October 15, 2026, identified the N9 night bus as the network's longest, covering about 36.8 kilometres between Temple and Heathrow Terminal 5. The SL7 is closely behind, measuring approximately 36.4 kilometres. Both routes highlight the extensive travel possible within London for a single bus fare.
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The SL7 is one of 12 limited-stop routes that form the Superloop network, which collectively spans 218 kilometres across 24 London boroughs and connects 63 bus and rail stations. Passengers are advised by TfL to check live journey times and allow extra time for potential delays, especially when travelling to Heathrow Airport.
Questions this report answers
+How far does the SL7 bus route travel?
The SL7 bus route covers approximately 23 miles, connecting West Croydon Bus Station with Heathrow Central Bus Station. This makes it one of London's longest bus routes.
+What is the fare for the SL7 bus route?
The fare for a single journey on the SL7 bus route is £1.75, regardless of the distance travelled. This price is valid until November 1, 2026.
+When will the bus fare increase?
The standard adult bus fare in London, including on the SL7 route, is scheduled to increase from £1.75 to £1.85 on November 1, 2026.
+What is the Superloop network?
The Superloop is an expansion of TfL's express bus services, comprising 12 limited-stop routes covering 218 kilometres across 24 London boroughs. The SL7 is one of these routes.
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