New Era for Docklands Light Railway: Launch of the Next Operating Contract

In the UK, KeolisAmey has kicked off its new contract to manage the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in East London as of April 1. This partnership, where Keolis holds a 70% stake and Amey takes up the remaining 30%, was secured after a competitive bidding process and spans eight years, with an option for an additional two years.

The DLR network stretches over 38 kilometers and includes 45 stations. Since taking over operations in 2014, KeolisAmey has successfully transported nearly 99 million passengers during the fiscal year of 2023-24.

The company is committed to enhancing social value for its customers, employees, and surrounding communities throughout this contract period. Notably,they plan to introduce a fleet of new CAF trains—54 in total—to replace some of the older models currently in use and increase overall capacity.

“We take pride in having set a benchmark for automated light rail systems globally,” shared Alistair Gordon, CEO of Keolis UK. “Our goal now is to elevate this network further by investing not just in technology but also in our communities and workforce while collaborating closely with Transport for London.” He emphasized their global experience as a key asset that will help drive these improvements.

Peter Anderson, Managing Director at Amey, added that their decade-long experience with DLR has provided invaluable insights into both infrastructure intricacies and passenger expectations. “This knowledge has been instrumental in refining our services and maintaining high performance levels,” he noted.