Docklands Light Railway
The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is an automated light metro system primarily serving the redeveloped Docklands area of London and providing a direct connection between London's two major financial districts, Canary Wharf and the City of London. First opened on 31 August 1987, the DLR has been extended multiple times, giving a total route length of 38 km (24 miles). Lines now reach north to Stratford, south to Lewisham, west to Tower Gateway and Bank in the City of London financial district, and east to Beckton, London City Airport and Woolwich Arsenal. An extension to Thamesmead is currently being proposed.
| Docklands Light Railway | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A DLR train at Canary Wharf station | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Owner | Docklands Light Railway Ltd, part of Transport for London | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Area served | London | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Locale | Greater London | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transit type | Light metro | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of lines | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of stations | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Daily ridership | 340,000 (daily average, DfT 2017) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Annual ridership | 92.3 million (2022/23) 19.6% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Headquarters | Endeavour Square, E20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | tfl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operation | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Began operation | 31 August 1987 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operator(s) | KeolisAmey Docklands Limited (Keolis 70%, Amey 30%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number of vehicles | 149 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Train length | 2 or 3 vehicles per trainset | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Headway | 3–5 minutes | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technical | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| System length | 38 km (24 mi) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. of tracks | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minimum radius of curvature | 125 ft (38 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Electrification | Third rail, 750 V DC | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top speed |
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Docklands Light Railway | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Normal operations are automated, so there is minimal staffing on the 149 trains (which have no driving cabs) and at major interchange stations; the four below-ground stations are staffed, to comply with health and safety regulations for underground stations.
The DLR is currently operated by franchisee KeolisAmey Docklands for Transport for London (TfL). Passenger numbers have increased as the network has expanded since its launch. In the financial year 2022/23, there were 92.3 million passenger journeys.