DLR usage back up to 84 per cent according to TfL
Passenger numbers on the Docklands Light Railway continue to recover with 84 per cent of pre pandemic usage seen in latest figures.
The latest figures cover P12 and covers February 2023.
The growth is healthy in the context of Elizabeth line services now running, with TfL long expecting DLR usership to drop once it begun before climbing again in future years.
That’s a key consideration in plans for new trains across the network, which have recently begun testing.
TfL’s budget for 2023/24 expects DLR usage to flatline at around 80 per cent before growing, though in recent months has already recovered to 84 per cent.
The DLR serves numerous areas seeing some of London and the UK’s fastest growth areas. Woolwich Arsenal of course is a hot bed of activity.
While it has the Elizabeth line, if approaching stations from the south it can save five minutes heading onto the DLR rather than walking further north, crossing a busy dual carriageway then heading to Woolwich Elizabeth line station.
Depending on destination some will head to the closer station that retains excellent frequencies. Not Southeastern, then.
Many major forthcoming Woolwich developments are closer to the rail and DLR station than the Elizabeth line.
That includes the Brookhill estate redevelopment recently approved.
others are blocks to the north and south of Tesco and new homes alongside a leisure centre directly next to Woolwich Arsenal station
One stop over the river and new blocks are rising in north Woolwich.
Numerous developments are rising throughout Silvertown further west. 6,000 homes are planned around Millennium Mills and at Silvertown Quay.
800 homes at Deanston Wharf are nearing completion.
A hotel has recently been demolished for another 140 homes.
Then at Canning Town there’s numerous other developments. This block is now rising:
Other sites bringing new homes and shops are visible from Canning Town DLR platform:
Lewisham is similar with new homes throughout the line. Marsh Wall see many towers.
Poplar too will become a far better access station for Canary Wharf when North Quay work is further along.
Work is underway on the first tower at North Quay:
And this post hasn’t even mentioned the line to Beckton or others such as Canary Wharf to Stratford.
Given all that, growth looks assured in coming years despite the advent of the Elizabeth line.
