31.10.19
London’s Docklands Light Railway will receive New Thales technology
122 million passengers are set to have their journeys improved following Thales’ signing of a new contract to support DLR’s rolling stock replacement programme, which will help bring more regular and reliable journeys in East London from 2023.
The first contract will be for the sourcing and integration of on-board control systems for a new fleet of 43 trans TfL announced earlier this year.
This contract is direct with the rolling stock manufacturer Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A (CAF). The second contract with TfL will be for DLR signalling system upgrades to the software sub systems that will also support new trains. These upgrades will help to deliver more reliable trains that can take more passengers and more services. Subsequently providing a better service to east London passengers.
The DLR has been running on Thales’s SelTrac Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) technology since 1994 when it was effectively introduced on the Bank to Island Gardens section. Since that time, Thales has worked closely with TfL as the DLR has expanded to support growth in east London.
As well as working with the DLR, Thales is also working towards modernising the London Underground. The 4LM project includes making signalling upgrade to the Circle, District, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City lines. The lines make up about 40% of the London Underground and the upgrades will increase the passenger capacity by an average of 33%.
Andrew Bell, VP Urban Rail Signalling, Thales in the UK: “Thales is very pleased to be continuing its contribution to the growth of DLR and the impact this will have to increased service for east London transit users. Thales has been working with the DLR team for more than 30 years by supporting the life cycle extension of assets and leveraging of their existing and new signalling systems.”