Here's The New Shuttle Bus That'll Take Cyclists Through The Silvertown Tunnel

By Will Noble

Last Updated 17 March 2025

Will Noble Here's The New Shuttle Bus That'll Take Cyclists Through The Silvertown Tunnel

A cyclist getting off the bus — The zero-emission service will run seven days a week. Image: TfL

Cyclists using the new Silvertown Tunnel will benefit from a shuttle service that's free for at least a year.

When the Silvertown Tunnel — a new 1.4km crossing that runs beneath the Thames between North Greenwich and Silvertown — opens on 7 April 2025, people won't be able to cycle through it. This has been a bone of contention since it was announced some time ago. However, there will be a special shuttle service for those who prefer pedal power, and now more details have been released, along with the first photos of the new zero-emission buses.

Bikes on the bus — Pedal cycles, tricycles, folded cycles, adaptive cycles, e-bikes and cargo cycles, as well Santander Cycles and other hire bikes and e-bikes, can be accommodated on board the buses. Image: TfL

Sporting a silver and blue livery, the Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle is a single-decker bus specially designed to accommodate various bikes (including pedal cycles, tricycles, folded cycles, adaptive cycles, e-bikes and cargo cycles, as well Santander Cycles and other hire bikes and e-bikes).

The shuttle will run every 12 minutes from 6.30am to 9.30pm seven days a week, from one stop on either side of the river: Seagull Lane close to Royal Victoria DLR station, and Millennium Way near the junction with Old School Close. Only those with a bike will be permitted to use the service.

The shuttle bus at a stop — The shuttle service will be free to use for at least one year. Image: TfL

As with all of the pedestrian bus services using the new tunnel, the Silvertown Tunnel Cycle Shuttle will be free to use until at least April 2026, after which, we predict the usual Bus Hopper fares will kick in. Motor vehicle users aren't so fortunate; they'll have to pay toll fares to use the Silvertown Tunnel, and nearby Blackwall Tunnel, from the get-go.

Says Lorna Murphy, Director of Buses at TfL: "We’re pleased to share the final details of our innovative cycle-shuttle service, which will provide important cross river connectivity for a range of cyclists through the Silvertown Tunnel. This free service will help people cycling in east London cross the river safely and encourage more active travel across the area."

Despite the 'innovative' description, a bus shuttle like this is not an entirely novel idea; one ran through the Dartford tunnel during the 1960s, but only lasted a couple of years.