KeolisAmey Docklands, a joint venture formed between Keolis (70%) and Amey (30%), was awarded the franchise in July 2014 to operate and maintain the Docklands Light Railway in London. We have now secured a new eight-year contract, extending our responsibility for the DLR until 2033.
Under this renewed agreement, we will see the joint venture continue to build on the strong foundations of collaboration developed with Transport for London and invest in accelerating the network’s social value for customers, colleagues and its communities.
This will mean cleaner trains and stations, more reliable lifts and escalators, more efficient and reliable station maintenance and faster passenger journeys. The network’s current 99 per cent reliability record will also be maintained – ensuring it remains one of the best performing railways in the UK.
We will also introduce 54 new trains over the course of the new contract.
Alistair Gordon, chief executive of Keolis UK, said: “We’re proud of the role we’ve played in establishing the DLR as the gold standard for automated light rail networks across the world.
“Now we’re laser-focused on making the network even better. That will involve investing in our communities, customers and colleagues, working closely with TfL and implementing the latest technologies available to drive improvements in the system. We’re fortunate to be in a place to be able to improve the system through our expertise and experience taken from operating systems all over the world.
“This is an exciting time for DLR passengers and we’re looking forward to seeing what the course of the new contract brings for the network.”
The DLR has grown to become the UK’s busiest light rail network. It carries more than 100 million passengers each year and employs more than 900 people.
Since taking over, KeolisAmey Docklands has introduced a range of improvements to the network spanning customer service, operations and physical infrastructure. Working closely with Transport for London, we have succeeded in maintaining the network’s industry-leading 99% departures record.
The DLR began operating in 1987, with 11 trains serving 15 stations and in its first year of operation it carried 6.7 million people. Today the railway – which is entirely step-free – has 45 stations, almost 40km of track and during 2018, it carried a record-breaking 124 million passengers.
KeolisAmey Docklands became the operator of the network on 7 December 2014.
Key facts:
Passenger Transport Authority: Transport for London (TfL)
The network is almost 40 km long
Since we took over the Lewisham Extension on 1 April 2021, we are now responsible for all 45 DLR stations
Train operator of the year award at the Rail Business Awards in 2023
Automated light metro system
SelTrac CBTC supplied by Thales
50 metro trainsets (149 metro cars) built by Bombardier
New trains include 54 five-car trains built by CAF
Almost 100 million passenger journeys per year
More than 900 employees