Transport for London (TfL) has awarded multinational firm CAF a contract worth around £350m to replace the oldest trains on the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and add capacity.
The capital’s transport body said DLR passengers will benefit from more frequent and reliable journeys from 2023 as a result of the deal.
It said the 43 trains in the initial contact include 33 to replace the oldest rolling stock on the DLR network and an additional 10 to boost capacity.
TfL has awarded the contract to design and manufacture the trains to Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A (CAF).
A TfL spokesperson told Transport Network that the deal is worth around £350m.
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.’
TfL said the new fleet of walk-through trains will provide a number of customer improvements, including the latest audio and visual real-time travel information, air conditioning and mobile device charging.
They will provide better facilities for peope with mobility impairments, with three multi-use areas for wheelchair users, pushchairs, bicycles or luggage, in addition to three dedicated wheelchair spaces.
TfL added that the trains will provide more frequent direct services to the growing employment centre and cultural hub at Stratford, allowing people from across south east London to reach new jobs in east London without the need to travel through Zone 1.
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