Hitachi Rail technology at the heart of the new DLR trains now in service
Hitachi Rail's advanced communication technology equips the first of London Docklands Light Railway's (DLR) new fleet of 54 trains, which have begun entering passenger service.
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This milestone showcases Hitachi Rail's digital CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control) signalling, which underpins the safety, reliability and availability of the new fleet. With more than 100 million passengers annually across 45 stations, the DLR's performance is crucial to the city's growth, and Hitachi Rail's technology is at the heart of its future.
As a trusted technology partner for CBTC signalling on the DLR for over three decades, Hitachi Rail has supported successive extensions and upgrades across the network, including the Lewisham (1999), London City Airport (2005), and Woolwich Arsenal (2009) expansions, ensuring reliable services for millions of passengers. This next step forward reflects the company's commitment to digital innovation, sustainable mobility and long-term collaboration with transport authorities to deliver smarter, more reliable solutions with lasting benefits for passengers and cities alike.
Andrew Bell, Vice President, Hitachi Rail UK, said: "For more than three decades, we have supported the growth and evolution of the DLR network, helping ensure it remains modern, reliable, and accessible for Londoners today and into the future. The DLR programme is also part of Hitachi Rail's wider mission to rethink mobility, supporting cities worldwide in delivering greener, smarter, and more connected transport. By integrating our digital CBTC signalling, we are helping to shape a railway that continues to lead the way in urban mobility and will serve the capital for decades to come."
. The DLR's Rolling Stock Replacement Programme is replacing 32 of the oldest 3-car trains with 43 new trains. An additional 11 new trains are also being introduced to boost capacity across the DLR network for a total of 54 trains.
. The new trains are built by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), with signalling integration and onboard signalling control systems supplied by Hitachi Rail.
www.hitachirail.com
