Proposals for a new limited stop express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow (X34 bus route), part of the Superloop

Share Proposals for a new limited stop express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow (X34 bus route), part of the Superloop on Facebook Share Proposals for a new limited stop express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow (X34 bus route), part of the Superloop on Twitter Share Proposals for a new limited stop express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow (X34 bus route), part of the Superloop on Linkedin Email Proposals for a new limited stop express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow (X34 bus route), part of the Superloop link

Consultation has concluded

Update 4 October 2023

Today we have published our response to the issues raised during the consultation on proposals for a new express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow, called SL1 (previously X34). 

Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback. 

-update ends-

Update 7 September 2023

Today we have published the results of the consultation on proposals for a new express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow. We received positive feedback to our proposals and details of feedback we received and next steps can be found in the report. We will respond to all issues raised in the consultation in a Response to Issues Raised document in the coming weeks.

-update ends-

Update 25 July 2023

This consultation has now closed. We are analysing your feedback and will report back shortly. You can find out more information about Superloop here.

-update ends-

We would like your feedback on proposals for a new limited express stop bus service between North Finchley and Walthamstow, called the X34.

On this page you can find out more about our proposals for the X34 between North Finchley and Walthamstow. There are maps showing where the route could stop and how it would connect with other transport options in the wider area.

What is Superloop?

What are we proposing for the X34?

Changes to other local services

Information to consider before you respond


What is Superloop?

Our proposals would be part of the Superloop, a network of express limited stop routes which would circle London and connect outer London town centres, hospitals, schools and transport hubs. The Superloop is a key part of the Mayor's commitment to improving the bus network in outer London and could add over 4 million additional kilometres to London’s bus network. This is on top of the more than one million extra kilometres of bus services to which the Mayor has already committed. You can find out more about the Superloop and also sign up for updates.

What are we proposing for the X34?

Buses are the most affordable, accessible, and available form of public transport in London and offer the main sustainable alternative to cars for journeys that can't easily be walked or cycled. Following the Mayor of London’s announcement of the proposed new Superloop network, we are now developing proposals for a new limited stop bus service for the section between North Finchley and Walthamstow, called the X34.

(click on map for larger image)

This new express route would run alongside part of the 221-bus route between North Finchley and New Southgate, and the 34-bus route between Arnos Grove and Walthamstow. These are the busiest parts of the existing routes and serve areas that are expected to see busier transport services in the future due to developments at Meridian Water, for example.

The X34 would run with:

  • Buses every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday, and
  • Buses every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays
  • It would be timetabled to run at similar times as a regular day service would
  • During Monday to Saturday daytimes there would be a combined frequency at the common stops on the proposed X34 and the 34 of buses about every five to six minutes

The new X34 route would:

  • Give people more transport options to move between key locations in Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest
  • Provide extra capacity on the busiest parts of the existing routes 221 and 34
  • Provide quicker journey times to outer London transport and town centre hubs
  • Encourage more sustainable journeys in Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest

Allow passengers on the X34 to connect to 48 other bus routes and four train lines, shown in this map.

Where the X34 could stop:

This map shows where the new X34 limited stop express route could go.

We are proposing stops at key transport interchanges and town centre hubs where there is the most demand for more transport options. However, we want your feedback on whether these are the right places for a new limited stop route.

(click on map for larger image)

Changes to other local services

If we went ahead with the X34 there would be buses around every five to six minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes at the combined stops along the busiest section, compared to every eight minutes at present.

To ensure we continue to match local bus service demand with bus capacity, the introduction of the X34 would require us to plan to reduce the frequency on route 34.

Therefore, as part of these proposals we would need to plan changes the route 34 frequency to:

  • Buses every ten minutes Monday to Saturday (currently every eight minutes), buses every 12 minutes Sunday daytimes and buses every 15 minutes on all evenings (currently every 12 minutes). The frequency of the 221 would not change.

Information to consider before you respond

We have provided more information to help you shape your response to this consultation. Visit the Documents section for:

If you need to translate this page into another language, please use the ‘Select language’ button at the bottom of this page.

Connecting with London's deaf community on our consultations

To enhance how we engage and consult with London's deaf community we are trialling a British Sign Language (BSL) consultation conversation service. This service will allow us to have a two-way BSL translated discussion on any aspect of this consultation with a BSL speaker.

To request a BSL consultation conversation please contact us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk and we will be in contact to arrange this at a convenient time.

Following this trial, we will evaluate the service to determine if this is something we are able to offer on other consultations in the future.

Update 4 October 2023

Today we have published our response to the issues raised during the consultation on proposals for a new express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow, called SL1 (previously X34). 

Thank you to everyone who gave us feedback. 

-update ends-

Update 7 September 2023

Today we have published the results of the consultation on proposals for a new express bus route between North Finchley and Walthamstow. We received positive feedback to our proposals and details of feedback we received and next steps can be found in the report. We will respond to all issues raised in the consultation in a Response to Issues Raised document in the coming weeks.

-update ends-

Update 25 July 2023

This consultation has now closed. We are analysing your feedback and will report back shortly. You can find out more information about Superloop here.

-update ends-

We would like your feedback on proposals for a new limited express stop bus service between North Finchley and Walthamstow, called the X34.

On this page you can find out more about our proposals for the X34 between North Finchley and Walthamstow. There are maps showing where the route could stop and how it would connect with other transport options in the wider area.

What is Superloop?

What are we proposing for the X34?

Changes to other local services

Information to consider before you respond


What is Superloop?

Our proposals would be part of the Superloop, a network of express limited stop routes which would circle London and connect outer London town centres, hospitals, schools and transport hubs. The Superloop is a key part of the Mayor's commitment to improving the bus network in outer London and could add over 4 million additional kilometres to London’s bus network. This is on top of the more than one million extra kilometres of bus services to which the Mayor has already committed. You can find out more about the Superloop and also sign up for updates.

What are we proposing for the X34?

Buses are the most affordable, accessible, and available form of public transport in London and offer the main sustainable alternative to cars for journeys that can't easily be walked or cycled. Following the Mayor of London’s announcement of the proposed new Superloop network, we are now developing proposals for a new limited stop bus service for the section between North Finchley and Walthamstow, called the X34.

(click on map for larger image)

This new express route would run alongside part of the 221-bus route between North Finchley and New Southgate, and the 34-bus route between Arnos Grove and Walthamstow. These are the busiest parts of the existing routes and serve areas that are expected to see busier transport services in the future due to developments at Meridian Water, for example.

The X34 would run with:

  • Buses every 12 minutes Monday to Saturday, and
  • Buses every 15 minutes on evenings and Sundays
  • It would be timetabled to run at similar times as a regular day service would
  • During Monday to Saturday daytimes there would be a combined frequency at the common stops on the proposed X34 and the 34 of buses about every five to six minutes

The new X34 route would:

  • Give people more transport options to move between key locations in Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest
  • Provide extra capacity on the busiest parts of the existing routes 221 and 34
  • Provide quicker journey times to outer London transport and town centre hubs
  • Encourage more sustainable journeys in Barnet, Enfield and Waltham Forest

Allow passengers on the X34 to connect to 48 other bus routes and four train lines, shown in this map.

Where the X34 could stop:

This map shows where the new X34 limited stop express route could go.

We are proposing stops at key transport interchanges and town centre hubs where there is the most demand for more transport options. However, we want your feedback on whether these are the right places for a new limited stop route.

(click on map for larger image)

Changes to other local services

If we went ahead with the X34 there would be buses around every five to six minutes on Monday to Saturday daytimes at the combined stops along the busiest section, compared to every eight minutes at present.

To ensure we continue to match local bus service demand with bus capacity, the introduction of the X34 would require us to plan to reduce the frequency on route 34.

Therefore, as part of these proposals we would need to plan changes the route 34 frequency to:

  • Buses every ten minutes Monday to Saturday (currently every eight minutes), buses every 12 minutes Sunday daytimes and buses every 15 minutes on all evenings (currently every 12 minutes). The frequency of the 221 would not change.

Information to consider before you respond

We have provided more information to help you shape your response to this consultation. Visit the Documents section for:

If you need to translate this page into another language, please use the ‘Select language’ button at the bottom of this page.

Connecting with London's deaf community on our consultations

To enhance how we engage and consult with London's deaf community we are trialling a British Sign Language (BSL) consultation conversation service. This service will allow us to have a two-way BSL translated discussion on any aspect of this consultation with a BSL speaker.

To request a BSL consultation conversation please contact us at haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk and we will be in contact to arrange this at a convenient time.

Following this trial, we will evaluate the service to determine if this is something we are able to offer on other consultations in the future.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Tell us your views

    We are holding a six-week public consultation to hear what you think about these proposals. We want to know if you agree with them, if there is anything you do not agree with, and to understand the reasons why you feel this way.

    This questionnaire should take you around five minutes to complete. Once you have submitted your answers, we will ensure your feedback is considered before we decide how to proceed with the proposed X34 bus route. 

    As part of our decision making, we may decide to (i) proceed with our proposals as stated, (ii) proceed with our proposals but with changes, or (iii) not to proceed at all.  

    The consultation is open until 23.59 on 21 July 2023.

    You will need to register with our Have Your Say platform to take part in the online survey although your details will be kept secure.

    Alternatively, you can send your response to us by:

    • Email: haveyoursay@tfl.gov.uk
    • Telephone: 020 3054 6037 to leave your name and contact number and we will call you back. Please quote ‘X34’ when leaving your message
    • Write to: Freepost TfL Have Your Say (X34)

    Please note that responses to the survey will be made publicly available after the consultation has closed in the form of a report on the results. Your personal information will be properly safeguarded and processed in accordance with the requirements of privacy and data protection legislation. For further information, please visit our privacy policy.

    Consultation has concluded
    Share Tell us your views on Facebook Share Tell us your views on Twitter Share Tell us your views on Linkedin Email Tell us your views link