An option to purchase 11 additional state-of-the-art DLR trains, funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), has now been exercised by Transport for London (TfL). This will mean a total of 54 new trains will be introduced from 2024, promising customers more frequent, reliable and comfortable journeys.
The new DLR trains have been funded by the Government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund, which was originally agreed in 2019. They will be used to further increase capacity and help unlock 10,000 new homes across the network, particularly in the Royal Docks and on the Isle of Dogs.
The DLR was designed to support and create growth in the areas it serves, with these additional trains doing just that by allowing more reliable, comfortable and frequent services to Lewisham, Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford for both new and existing residents.
The new trains are being designed and built by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A (CAF). TfL previously awarded a contract in 2019 to CAF for 43 trains following a comprehensive procurement process that focused on deliverability, technical expertise, and value for money.
The first two new DLR trains, which feature a walk-through design, latest audio and visual real time travel information, air conditioning and mobile device charge points, have been delivered and are going through extensive testing ahead of introduction from 2024. This vital testing will ensure the trains are reliable and offer customers the best possible service.
Testing is currently taking place in overnight engineering hours and during some planned closures but later this year customers will see test trains running during the day in gaps between normal services. The new trains will be easy to spot as they feature a specially designed train wrap to help prevent confusion should a test train need to stop at station.
All 54 new trains will be introduced by the end of 2026 and will help boost overall capacity on the network by more than 60%. Each train will feature 10% more capacity and also provide better facilities for those with mobility impairments with three multi-use areas in addition to three dedicated wheelchair spaces. These multi-use areas can also be used to accommodate pushchairs, bicycles and luggage.
Tom Page, TfL’s general manager for the DLR, said: “These new DLR trains will transform the journeys of millions of existing customers but will also give us the opportunity to welcome many more as new jobs and homes are created in east London and the Docklands area. Testing is progressing well ahead of the trains being introduced from 2024 and I really look forward to welcoming this new fleet to help contribute to the DLR’s continuing success.”
Richard Garner, CAF UK director, added: “CAF is absolutely thrilled to be supplying 11 additional trains to DLR to supplement the original order of 43 trains and play our part in the growth and accessibility of London.”
With more than 90 million journeys made each year, the DLR is the busiest light railway in the UK.
Image credit: TfL
