Transport for LondonCommon questions
Skip to navigation- Where are the drivers?
- What is light rail?
- How much does it cost to travel by DLR?
- Can I use my Oyster card on the DLR?
- Where are the DLR ticket machines?
- What is DLR's operating hours?
- How frequently do DLR trains operate?
- Where does the DLR operate?
- Is DLR accessible for people with mobility impairments?
- Are there interchanges between the DLR and other public transport modes?
- What security measures does DLR have in place?
- Who are the DLR Community Ambassadors?
- Will the DLR provide transport links to and from Olympic Park and other venues during 2012?
- Where will the DLR be expanding to in the near future?
- How will the DLR cope with increasing amounts of passengers?
- When did the DLR first open?
- How much has been spent on upgrading and extending DLR?
- How many people have travelled on the DLR?
- Which is the busiest DLR station?
- How fast can DLR trains travel?
- Who owns the DLR?
- Who is the DLR franchisee?
- Who are the concessionaires?
1. Where are the drivers?
The entire DLR network operates as a driverless system and is in fact the only driverless rail system in the UK. While the trains appear to stop and start of their own accord, the DLR is operated through a computerised system that is closely managed and monitored 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the DLR control centre. Control centre staff have access to a visual overview of the entire DLR network displaying exactly where each train is along the railway at any given time.
2. What is light rail?
Light rail uses smaller and less heavy vehicles than other forms of rail. It is particularly flexible in that it is capable of running above street-level, for instance most of the DLR London City Airport extension is elevated.
Light railways have more frequent stops, can navigate sharper curves and steeper grades, and trains are generally quieter than those used for conventional heavy rail. Light rail is typically less expensive to construct and operate than heavy rail and an ideal transport mode for moving large numbers of passengers along busy routes.
3. How much does it cost to travel by DLR?
Oyster pay as you go, Travelcards, single/return tickets and rail passes issued by Transport for London are valid on DLR if they cover the zones in which you wish to travel. DLR operates in zones 1, 2 and 3.
Cash single fares:
- £1.50 for Zones 2 and 3, valid on DLR only (child 70p)
- £3.00 for Zones 2 and 3 on a standard cash single ticket (child £1.50)
- £4.00 for Zones 1-3 on a standard cash single ticket (child £2.00).
Cheaper fares are available on Oyster and off-peak Day Travelcards. Under 11s travel free on the DLR and Tube when accompanied by an adult.
For the full range of tickets please pick up a copy of the TfL fares and tickets leaflet or visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets.
4. Can I use my Oyster card on the DLR?
Yes. Oyster is the cheapest way to pay for single journeys on DLR. If you are using pay as you go, you must touch your Oyster card on the reader every time you enter and exit the station. If you don't touch on and off correctly you may pay a higher fare than you have to and you may be liable for a penalty fare.
When interchanging between DLR and London Underground Lines or National Rail, touch your Oyster card on the reader at the start and end of every part of your journey to pay the cheapest fare. Readers are located at the entrances and exits of DLR platforms. If you require any assistance please speak to a member of staff. For more information, please visit www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets.
5. Where are the DLR ticket machines?
Ticket machines are located at all DLR stations. When travelling on DLR you must have a valid ticket, or you may be liable for a penalty fare. If you are unsure if your ticket is valid on DLR, please approach a member of staff for assistance as soon as you board the train.
Oyster top-up machines are available at London City Airport, Canary Wharf, Tower Gateway, Cutty Sark and Lewisham DLR stations.
6. What is DLR's operating hours?
DLR operates on all routes every day of the year (except Christmas Day) as follows:
Monday - Saturday 05:30 - 00:30
Sunday 07:00 - 23:30.
7. How frequently do DLR trains operate?
Monday to Friday, trains run as often as every 3½ minutes during peak times and an average of every 7 minutes during off-peak times. At weekends, trains run every 10 minutes. For further information call 020 7363 9700 or check posters at stations.
8. Where does the DLR operate?
The DLR operates within the Docklands area of London and provides a vital connection between east London and the city. The network encompasses areas including Bank, Tower Gateway, Stratford, Greenwich, Lewisham, Beckton and London City Airport. DLR is committed to local regeneration and sustainability and further extensions to the network are planned.
Docklands Light Railway maps are available as PDF documents.
9. Is DLR accessible for people with mobility impairments?
Yes. The DLR network was the first fully accessible railway in the UK and provides step-free entrance and exits to all stations and trains, making journeys much easier for people using wheelchairs, with prams or carrying heavy bags.
10. Are there interchanges between the DLR and other public transport modes?
The DLR provides excellent interchange with other public transport modes, connecting with more than 100 bus routes, five mainline railways, eight Underground lines, plus coach, taxi and river services. Additionally the railway provides a direct link to London City Airport, offering a cost-effective and convenient way to travel to and from the airport. Airport passengers can reach the DLR platform in just four minutes.
11. What security measures does DLR have in place?
All DLR stations and trains are monitored by closed-circuit television (CCTV) and patrolled by staff, Travel Safe Officers and British Transport Police. A member of staff is on board every train to provide information and assistance. There are passenger alarms at all stations and on trains.
12. Who are the DLR Community Ambassadors?
DLR has five Community Ambassadors who encourage local residents to use the railway. Between them, the ambassadors speak English, Bengali, Yoruba, Urhobo and Isoko. The ambassadors can answer questions about DLR, offer ticket machine training for those who are unsure how to buy a ticket and run DLR demonstration trips for those who use a wheelchair, buggy scooter or walking stick and want to see how easy it is to access stations and trains.
13. Will the DLR provide transport links to and from Olympic Park and other venues during 2012?
Yes. The DLR will act as a key transport provider during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In order to meet the additional passenger demand for 2012 and beyond, the DLR is making several enhancements to the network, including upgrading the rail car fleet from two-car to three-car trains, building an extension to the new Stratford International station serving the heart of the Olympic Park and building an extension to Woolwich Arsenal.
These upgrades will enable tens of thousands of passengers to travel swiftly and efficiently to and from Olympic Park and other competition venues such as the ExCel Exhibition Centre and the Royal Artillery Barracks. In order to meet the additional demand for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and achieve the three-car upgrade with minimal disruption to existing passengers, 55 new rail cars, boasting a sleek contemporary new design, will be added to the DLR fleet in 2008-09.
Map of DLR links to Olympic and Paralympic venues (PDF 416KB)
14. Where will the DLR be expanding to in the near future?
Extensions to Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International are now well underway and due to open in 2009 and 2010 respectively. A further extension to Dagenham Dock has been proposed, and public consultation is being conducted to shape the development of the project. If approved it will open in 2016/17.
More information about DLR's planned and proposed projects
15. How will the DLR cope with increasing amounts of passengers?
User numbers on the DLR are expected to rise from current levels of 64 million to 80 million by 2009. To accommodate this DLR is undertaking a major capacity enhancement project over the next few years. By 2010, all trains will be lengthened from two to three carriages, meaning on-board capacity will be increased by 50 per cent.
More information about DLR's expansion and development projects
16. When did the DLR first open?
The DLR first opened to the public in 1987, just three years after construction commenced. The original railway included 15 stations and spanned over 13 kilometres of track, much of which was disused or underused railway track.
17. How much has been spent on upgrading and extending DLR?
Over £1 billion has been spent upgrading and extending DLR since it began operating. The original railway cost £77 million.
18. How many people have travelled on the DLR?
Since opening in 1987, over half a billion journeys have been made on the DLR. The network carries almost twice as many passengers per train today as it did back when it first opened.
19. Which is the busiest DLR station?
The busiest DLR station is Bank, which is used by an average of over 70,000 passengers per weekday.
20. How fast can DLR trains travel?
DLR trains are capable of speeds up to 50mph, although they rarely travel above 40mph.
21. Who owns the DLR?
The DLR remains in the public sector, owned by Docklands Light Railway Ltd which is part of Transport for London. DLR Ltd is responsible for developing the railway's assets, managing the franchise and concessions.
22. Who is the DLR franchisee?
In 1997, railway operations and maintenance were franchised to a private sector company, Serco Docklands. Serco have enjoyed a particularly successful 10-year franchise, and the railway continues to attain high standards of reliability and customer satisfaction.
The most recent re-franchising process began in September 2004. Following an initial tender, Serco Docklands was shortlisted and successfully awarded the seven-year, £400 million franchise in April 2006.
23. Who are the concessionaires?
DLR is supported by two concessionaires who have designed, financed built and maintained the two most recent extensions to the DLR network. City Greenwich Lewisham (CGL) Rail manage the Lewisham extension, while City Airport Rail Enterprises (CARE) is responsible for the London City Airport extension. Woolwich Arsenal Rail Enterprises (WARE) is managing the new DLR Woolwich Arsenal extension, opening in early 2009.
