New DLR trains delayed - again
The phase out of the aging DLR trains was planned for 2023, but after repeated delays, TfL now expect to start introducing new trains late summer.
New Docklands Light Railway (DLR) trains which were set to be fully deployed this summer will only begin the initial phase of re-introduction by the late summer.
A report by the Transport for London (TfL) commissioner carefully states that "a phased reintroduction is expected to begin by late summer".
The introduction of the new trains was originally planned for 2023 but was then delayed until September 2025.
But the new trains were quickly taken out of service in November 2025 after a train failed to stop at the correct position at Canning Town station.
TfL reports that it withdrew all its new trains "as a precaution".
The 54 new trains will eventually replace the existing 32 trains, from 1990s and early 2000s stock that currently run on the service.
These trains have reached the end of their design life which means that they badly need replacing to ensure reliability.
The upgraded stock is intended to increase capacity by 50% and improve accessibility and other conditions for passengers.
The cost of introduction of the new trains had already gone over budget from £907m to £942m at the start of 2025, and the latest report from the TfL Programme and Investment Committee suggests final costs may be even higher.
TfL have confirmed that delays to the introduction of the trains have already caused a decrease in passenger numbers and revenue, in part owing to frequent disruptions to the service.
A spokesperson for TfL said that they could not yet confirm the completion date but "once the new DLR trains start to be reintroduced, we will be better placed to understand the completion date of the overall programme".
There will also be a series of planned closures of the DLR over the coming summer months.
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