The current fleet of DLR trains, which have served Londoners for three decades, is nearing the end of its lifespan. However, to ensure a smooth transition to the new trains, Transport for London (TfL) is implementing a temporary measure to extend the life of the old trains. The older B92 trains, which have exceeded their ideal retirement age, are being operated with a reduced number of carriages to save mileage. This strategy will allow TfL to keep the old trains running until October, when the new fleet is expected to be fully operational. The move comes after delays in testing the new trains pushed back their deployment. If TfL had continued to operate the old trains normally, it could have lost up to five trains per month from May onwards, leading to significant service disruptions. To prevent this, TfL has opted to reduce capacity on the old trains. The first two-car trains were introduced on the Woolwich to Stratford branch late last year, initially operating only on Mondays and Fridays. However, they are now running throughout the week. Currently, the shorter trains are only operating on the Woolwich branch, not the Lewisham branch. The Woolwich branch was chosen for this trial as it has lower passenger numbers compared to other branches. TfL hopes that by reducing mileage, the old trains can continue running until October, if necessary. Once the DLR makeover is complete, 54 new trains will replace the 33 older ones, increasing the service’s capacity by 60%. These new trains will offer a more modern and comfortable travel experience, including interactive steering wheels for passengers to enjoy. To stay informed about the DLR makeover and other London transport updates, consider subscribing to the Time Out London newsletter.
DLR Train Makeover: Old Trains Extended with Reduced Carriages for Smooth Transition
