Transport for London has ordered an additional 11 new trains for the Docklands Light Railway.

The additional trains have been funded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and will mean a total of 54 new trains will be introduced from 2024.

The new trains are being built by CAF, who were awarded the original contract in 2019 for 43 trains.

The first two new trains are undergoing testing ahead of their introduction in 2024.

Testing is currently taking place in overnight engineering hours and during some planned closures but later this year customers will see test trains running during the day in gaps between normal services

TfL says that all of the new trains will be introduced by the end of 2026.

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “More than 90 million journeys made each year the DLR is the busiest light railway in the UK and these new DLR trains will provide Londoners with more frequent, reliable and comfortable journeys from 2024. Each train will feature 10 per cent more capacity and also provide better facilities for those with mobility impairments. The DLR is a vital transport option for east London and the Docklands area and these upgrades will support new jobs and homes in the area, helping to make London a greener, fairer and more prosperous city for all.”

Tom Page, TfL’s General Manager for the DLR, said: “These new DLR trains will transform the journeys of millions of existing customers but will also give us the opportunity to welcome many more as new jobs and homes are created in east London and the Docklands area. Testing is progressing well ahead of the trains being introduced from 2024 and I really look forward to welcoming this new fleet to help contribute to the DLR’s continuing success.”

Lutfur Rahman, The Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “Tower Hamlets is home to a rapidly growing population, and these improvements to the DLR network will vastly improve accessibility for all, making it easier for residents and visitors to travel around our borough.

“Our borough will greatly benefit from the new DLR trains, particularly with the new homes undergoing construction on the Royal Docks and the Isle of Dogs. Accessible, efficient, and dependable public transport is crucial to ensuring safer and greener journeys for all residents.”

Richard Garner, CAF UK Director, said “CAF is absolutely thrilled to be supplying 11 additional trains to DLR to supplement the original order of 43 trains and play our part in the growth and accessibility of London”