The Docklands Light Railway has temporarily withdrawn its new B23 trains just six weeks after they were introduced due to brake malfunctions.
The automated carriages, which began operating in early October, caused one train to overshoot a platform, prompting Transport for London to remove three services from the timetable while engineers investigate.
Scott Haxton, TfL’s director of capital delivery infrastructure, reassured passengers, saying: “There’s been no injuries or any negative impact to our customers, it was an isolated incident. The timetable is operating as it was.” He added: “From a customer service point of view, it’s very much business as usual. Introducing new rolling stock onto any operational railway is incredibly complex and it is not unusual to experience performance related issues as they are bedding into the new network.”
The new B23 trains, manufactured by Spanish firm CAF, were originally scheduled for introduction in April 2024 but only began service six months later. Each train features air conditioning, walk-through carriages, mobile device charging points, and dedicated wheelchair spaces. TfL has said that the new trains are expected to increase passenger capacity by 50 percent once the full fleet is operational.
Transport for London has not given a timeline for when the B23 stock will return to service but has apologised for the disruption. In the meantime, older trains are being used to cover the missing services. This comes after one fifth of the DLR’s 90-train fleet was retired over the summer, leaving the network with fewer carriages to operate its busy routes, which serve 340,000 passengers daily.
The reduced timetable is expected to continue until the issues are resolved and more of the 54 new trains due by the end of next year are operational. When fully introduced, the B23 trains are intended to enhance reliability and support the growing transport demands of areas including Stratford, Woolwich Arsenal, and the Isle of Dogs, helping residents access jobs and new housing developments.
While the brake problem has caused delays for commuters, TfL emphasised that safety remains the top priority. Passengers have been asked to check the DLR website for the latest timetable updates and service information while the fleet is reviewed.
