Transport for London (TfL) (www.tfl.gov.uk) is progressing with its ‘search’ for a manufacturer to provide 43 new trains for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR).

The walk-through trains will replace old stock — some of it 25 years old.

Four bidders have been ‘qualified’ for the project: they are: Alstom Transport UK Ltd; Bombardier Transportation; CAF; and a consortium comprising Siemens plc, Stadler Bussang AG and Stadler Rail Valencia SAU.

All of these bidders can now proceed to the next stage of the procurement process. Scheduled to come into service in 2022, the new stock will feature on-board real-time information, air-conditioning and mobile-device charging points.

Jonathan Fox, TfL’s director of rail and sponsored services, said: “This important step in the procurement process brings us closer to delivering the new trains needed to support the continued passenger growth on the DLR, which currently carries 122 million customers a year.

“These new trains will enable us to increase capacity on the network by up to 30%, significantly improving the comfort, reliability and quality of our service.

“They will also support the creation of further jobs and homes in the Docklands area.”

The contract for new stock will be awarded in 2018. DLR also plans to provide several interchanges with Elizabeth Line services between central London, Shenfield and Abbey Wood from 2018.

These interchange stations include Canary Wharf, West India Quay, Stratford and Custom House.