London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has inaugurated the first of 54 new trains that authorities say will transform travel in the UK capital. Replacing trains that have been in service for three decades and are some of the oldest in the network’s fleet, the new stock is bigger and offers more customer-friendly features.
The DLR was first envisaged in the 1970s as a way to serve the residential and commercial redevelopment of London’s ailing eastern docklands. The mostly-automated system was designed to run without driver cabs and was opened in 1987 but has been extended several times, giving a route of 38 km which includes six so-called “Opportunity Areas” and tens of thousands of new homes, as well as London City Airport, the closest airport for more than 50% of Londoners.
One of the first light railways in the UK conceived with access for disabled people in mind, the DLR’s DNA shows strongly in the new trains. They are 10% bigger than the previous model and offer three dedicated wheelchair spaces to improve accessibility, as well as walk-through carriages, three multi-use areas for pushchairs, bicycles, and luggage. Other comfort and convenience features, described as “cutting edge design and technology” by London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan but which others may consider necessities, include air conditioning, mobile phone charging points, and real-time travel updates.
The real breakthrough, according to Richard Graham, Managing Director of KeolisAmey Docklands, is the incorporation of “the latest tools and technology to keep the DLR running safely and smoothly every day.”
According to a Transport for London (TfL) press release, the new trains underwent “extensive testing to ensure a smooth transition for customers,” including a temporary timetable from June 2025 which allowed the retirement of old stock. Operating in rapidly developing areas of east London, “the new DLR trains will significantly improve reliability and support growth in new homes and jobs, particularly for Londoners in areas like Stratford, Woolwich Arsenal and the Isle of Dogs,” Khan said in a statement.
Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, echoed that sentiment, saying: “These state-of-the-art trains will transform customers’ journeys across the DLR network. Boosting capacity and improving reliability, these new trains will help the DLR keep pace with growing demand in this part of the capital. Customers will benefit from more comfortable, frequent, and accessible services.”
@tfl Your exclusive sneak peek of the new DLR trains 👀 Coming soon to a station near you, head to the link in our bio to check out the new features 🙌 *Keep an eye out on the network from September while the trains, with special livery, are running through reliability testing #TfL #NewTrains #DLR
♬ original sound – Transport for London
The new DLR trains have received significant government investment, such as £260 million (€299 million) through the Housing Infrastructure Fund, in a nod to the role the DLR plays in unlocking thousands of new homes across east London. A further £500 million (over €575 million) came thanks to a loan from the National Wealth Fund, established by the UK treasury to support growth. London City Airport also contributed more than £5 million (€5.75 million) towards the new trains, recognising that DLR improvements align with its commitment to sustainable transport.
