12.06.19
TfL awards contract for new DLR fleet to replace 30-year-old trains
TfL has awarded a contract for 43 new trains to replace the oldest rolling stock on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR), with the first scheduled to enter passenger service from 2023.
CAF has been chosen to design, manufacture and supply the new state-of-the-art fleet of five-car trains based on the company’s Metro vehicle design, with the new models a similar length to the current three-car trains but with a number of customer improvements.
From 2023, 33 trains will replace the DLR’s oldest rolling stock, which are nearly 30 years old, and 10 will be introduced to increase frequency and capacity across the network.
TfL say the DLR is currently the busiest light railway in the UK and that with the old models coming to an end of their design life, the “vital” new trains will provide more frequent direct services between Stratford hub and serve Canary Wharf.
The DLR operates across six ‘opportunity areas’ in London with 400,000 journeys made each weekday.
TfL also say the additional capacity will allow people from across south east London to reach jobs in east London, and deliver growth in the Royal Docks and Isle of Dogs where DLR is the main transport option.
Jon Fox, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored services, said: “Replacing the oldest trains on the DLR and introducing a new modern fleet will ensure the railway continues to support the current and future growth in the Docklands area.
“With walk-through carriages, real time travel information, air conditioning and mobile device charging points, the new trains will provide customers with a more comfortable and reliable service, replacing rolling stock that are nearly 30 years old and coming to the end of their operational life.”
The modernisation of the DLR is a major part of the mayor’s Transport Strategy to make London green and more accessible.
Richard Garner, CAF’s UK director, commented: “We are delighted to be awarded such a significant contract by Transport for London to supply trains for the UK's busiest light railway.
“CAF's Metro vehicle design is ideally placed to meet the specific demands of this unique operation, not only increasing passenger capacity, but delivering the very latest in comfort, convenience and safety for passengers.”.