HS2

20.11.17

TfL opens bidding for 43 new DLR trains

Transport for London (TfL) has taken a step forward in its search for a manufacturer to provide 43 new trains for Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

Plans will see the capacity on the line increase by as much as 30%, with new walk-through trains replacing stock that could be as much as 25 years old.

The four qualified bidders are Alstom Transport UK Ltd, Bombardier Transportation, CAF, and a consortium consisting of Siemens PLC, Stadler Bussang AG and Stadler Rail Valencia SAU – all of which can now proceed to the next stage of the formal procurement process.

The new stock – set to come into service in 2022 – will feature on-board real-time information, air-conditioning, and mobile device charging points for the first time.

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored services, commented: “This important step in the procurement process brings us closer to delivering the new trains needed to support the continued passenger growth on the DLR, which currently carries 122 million customers a year.

“These new trains will enable us to increase capacity on the network by up to 30%, significantly improving the comfort, reliability and quality of our service for customers. They will also support the creation of further jobs and homes in the Docklands area.”

The contract for new stock will be awarded in 2018 and plans are included as part of mayor Sadiq Khan’s draft Transport Strategy.

The DLR also plans to provide several interchanges with Elizabeth Line services between central London, Shenfield and Abbey Wood from 2018. These interchange stations include Canary Wharf, West India Quay, Stratford and Custom House.

Top image: TfL

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Comments

Andrew Gwilt   20/11/2017 at 17:06

Bombardier Transportation I think. Because they built the DLR rolling stocks since the DLR first opened in 1987. The older DLR vehicles (B90 and B92) stocks are likely to face the scrapyard. Or could be transferred to another country to use them as light rail vehicles. Whilst the B07 and B2K stocks will be kept until they are also to be replaced by new rolling stocks.

Andrew JG   21/11/2017 at 03:09

Depends if who gets the approval to manufacture new rolling stocks for the Docklands Light Railway to replace the Bombardier B90 & B92 stocks. Whilst the B07 stocks will still remain for a long time until they are due to be replaced by new DLR stocks. I think it could be Bombardier. But I think it’s CAF, Alstom and Siemens+Stadler that are the bidders that may build new DLR trains if one of those bidders does agree to manufacture the new stocks on the DLR.

Andrew JG   21/11/2017 at 03:28

Also why not Hitachi and Talgo? Could they also manufacture new light rail vehicles in the future.

PP   21/11/2017 at 09:32

@Andrew JG Hitachi and Talgo don't make light rail vehicles and so didn't bid for the work. You can only buy things from people willing to make them!

Laurence   21/11/2017 at 12:38

Just hope they specify to be BUILT in the UK

Blair Robinson   21/11/2017 at 13:46

Yet more money poured into the transport budget in the south. Meanwhile in the north all we get are politicians with plausible words which mean nothing. Can we expect the replaced trains to be refurbished as a possible replacement for our abominable pacers!

Andrew Gwilt   21/11/2017 at 14:00

@PP. True.

David   21/11/2017 at 19:51

Blair. Are you still not aware of the Class 195 and 331 fleets that are about to begin commissioning?

David Walker   21/11/2017 at 22:29

"..Could be as much as 25 years old"!!! Interesting how DLR (London) can get 43 new trains seemingly at the drop of a hat, yet the Tyne and Wear Metro (North) cannot get the treasury to budge on renewing its 40 year old stock, and may end up with an expensive deal through the discredited PFI scheme - that's if they get anything! Some things don't change in this country.

Walace58   22/11/2017 at 11:00

Is this treasury money or of TFL?

Rich   22/11/2017 at 11:10

Why not give the contract to.. Robert Stephenson’s, Metro Cammell, Hunslet, Greenbat, Beyer Peacock, Aveling Porter, British Armstrong Whitworth, Black Hawthorn, British Thomson -Houston Andrew Barclay & Sons, Ruston Hornsby Vulcan foundry etc etc etc, Oh dear I must have got carried away with myself now where was I Oh yes I was dreaming now I wonder whatever happened to them all ???

James Palma   22/11/2017 at 20:40

Sigh. Look. People north of Watford. Commuting on the Underground by itself is nearly 5million journeys a day. Times between those trains on most lines is one train every two minutes. Add to that main line commuting into 14 main line termini, as well as satellite stations within the central area, 8, 10, or 12 coach trains fully packedtrains arriving every 5 minutes at those stations. Add to that the Docklands Light Railway with trains every 2 to 3 minutes into Bank, three cars, fully loaded. Add to that bus services and other road services. In addition the fares here are considerably higher than elsewhere in the country with heavily under invested infrastructure. Can any person complaining about commuting up north (for which read north midlands as Manchester is neither THE north or representative of THE north of England) please explain to us: how many trains per hour, serve how many termini, and how many commuter passenger journeys there are, please? And what financial contribution the north, collectively, gives to the country compared to London. Then, and only then, may you complain about how hard done by you are.

Turbostar   23/11/2017 at 10:47

Good news David Walker, the government announced they will fund £337Million to replacing the Tyne & wear Metro stock in the budget.

Passerby   27/11/2017 at 12:55

Maybe the old units can be cascaded to the Marks Tey - Sudbury line

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