New Superloop bus route SL12 launches in Havering
The route connects Gants Hill with Rainham, serving key locations across the borough.
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Transport for London (TfL) will introduce the SL12 Superloop bus route in Havering on September 5, 2026. This new service aims to improve connectivity across the borough, linking Gants Hill with Rainham. The route will include stops at Romford, Queen’s Hospital, and Elm Park, as well as Tesco in Rainham.
Service frequency and fares
New Superloop bus route SL12 launches September 5
The express bus service will connect Gants Hill and Rainham, aiming to cut journey times.
Buses on the SL12 route will operate every 12 minutes during weekday and Saturday daytime hours. On Sundays and during evening periods, the frequency will be every 15 minutes. TfL has confirmed that passengers using pay-as-you-go methods will not be charged for their journeys during the service's inaugural week, a period of seven days.
Route details and vehicle specifications
The SL12 route was approved by TfL in September 2025, following a public consultation that began in spring 2025. The service will utilise double-decker buses equipped with modern amenities, including air conditioning, charging points for electronic devices, and real-time passenger information displays. Lorna Murphy, TfL's director of buses, stated that the route will enhance travel and journey times in northeast and east London, providing access to local amenities and transport connections.
Gallows Corner to fully reopen by September 2026
Transport for London confirmed the major junction will be fully accessible after water pipe works are completed.
Ilker Dervish, chairman of London Riverside BID, welcomed the route, noting its importance for connecting residents to employment zones. Margaret Mullane, MP for Dagenham and Rainham, also described the SL12 as a "much-needed link" for commuters.
Questions this report answers
+When will the new SL12 bus route start operating?
The SL12 Superloop bus route is scheduled to launch in Havering on September 5, 2026. This new service will connect Gants Hill with Rainham, passing through several key locations within the borough.
+What areas will the SL12 bus route cover?
The SL12 route will connect Gants Hill and Rainham. It will serve Romford, Queen’s Hospital, Elm Park, and Tesco in Rainham, among other stops, providing improved transport links across these areas.
+How often will the SL12 buses run and are there any special offers?
Buses will run every 12 minutes on weekdays and Saturdays, and every 15 minutes on Sundays and evenings. Pay-as-you-go passengers will be able to travel for free during the first week of the service.
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