Docklands Light Railway

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) is an automated light metro system primarily serving the redeveloped Docklands area of London and providing a direct connection between London's two major financial districts, Canary Wharf and the City of London. First opened on 31 August 1987, the DLR has been extended multiple times, giving a total route length of 38 km (24 miles). Lines now reach north to Stratford, south to Lewisham, west to Tower Gateway and Bank in the City of London financial district, and east to Beckton, London City Airport and Woolwich Arsenal. An extension to Thamesmead is currently being proposed.

Normal operations are automated, so there is minimal staffing on the 149 trains (which have no driving cabs) and at major interchange stations; the four below-ground stations are staffed, to comply with health and safety regulations for underground stations. The DLR was one of the first major railway infrastructure projects in Britain where access for disabled people was considered, with level access into the train from platforms and lifts at all stations.

The DLR is operated and maintained by franchisee KeolisAmey (a joint venture of transport company Keolis and infrastructure support provider Amey) for Transport for London (TfL). Passenger numbers have increased as the network has expanded since its launch, with 50 million passenger journeys a year by 2004, and more than 100 million in 2013. In the financial year 2024/25, there were 97.8million passenger journeys.