During the Olympic Games the DLR carried 7.2 million passengers (over 100 per cent more passengers compared to the same period last year), and ran services with an average of 99 per cent of trains running to time.
This was only possible after a programme of investment since 2007 ranging from new line extensions and additional rail cars to crucial projects including lift upgrades and improvements to real-time passenger information.
And the work we’ve done will also have a lasting benefit for our regular passengers and wider community. That’s something to really celebrate.
Investing in a better railway since 2007
(hover left and right to view timeline)
DLR: Fit for the future...
Our £850 million project - 'INVESTING IN... a better railway' has been our biggest package of work and is now complete. It’s thanks to this and other behind the scenes work that the railway now has 45 stations, 40km of track and 149 rail cars and expects to carry an estimated 100 million passengers by 2015.
New stations and extensions, station enhancements, additional trains and improved passenger information have left a lasting legacy for everyone to enjoy now and into the future.
…and getting bigger and better
The long-term benefits of investments in the DLR for 2012 will be felt for years to come. Here are just some of our improvements:
- 55 new rail cars providing increased capacity and more comfort during the Games
- 3 car trains, extended platforms and upgraded stations allowing the DLR to handle more passengers than ever before
A new station at Woolwich Arsenal providing access to the Royal Artillery Barracks for London 2012 creating a new river crossing and interchange with the national rail network- Extending the DLR to Stratford International has added new stations improving cross-river journeys creating more job opportunities
- Additional new stations like Langdon Park and South Quay help more passengers make the most of the improved DLR
- A new staircase and improved platform and concourse at Shadwell increasing comfort for passengers
- An additional entrance at Bank speeding up connections and improving platform crowding
- Two new escalators at Custom House for ExCeL delivering a better, faster experience and more frequent services
A second entrance at Royal Victoria reducing passenger congestion and shortening the walk from the new Emirates Air Line - Increased platform space at Canning Town to reduce overcrowding during the Games
- A new horse-shoe shaped platform at Tower Gateway makes boarding and alighting easier and quicker
- Stratford's two new platforms increasing train frequencies, speeding up journeys and reducing congestion
- Renewed key sections of conductor rail ensures train power supply is not interrupted
- Replacements to large sections of track and signalling system upgrades improves ride quality, noise levels, journey times and reliability
- A new substation ensures the DLR works if existing substations fail
- A modified power system at Bank station ensures it's not interrupted
- An additional siding at Royal Victoria means broken trains can be removed quickly
- A new control facility at Beckton improving resilience and future capacity