Editing Docklands Light Railway (section)

=== Operations ===
Initially operated by [[London Regional Transport]], the DLR was transferred to the LDDC in 1992. The LDDC appointed [[Brown and Root]] to run the system in 1993.<ref name=":4" /> In 1994, it was announced that the DLR would be privatised, with operations and maintenance operated under franchise by the private sector.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Stevenson |first=Tom |date=27 October 1994 |title=Docklands railway will be privatised |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/docklands-railway-will-be-privatised-1445237.html |access-date=3 October 2024 |work=The Independent}}</ref>

In 1997, the first franchise was awarded to [[Serco|Serco Docklands Limited]] for seven years;<ref>{{cite web |date=13 October 2011 |title=URI |url=http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03145194 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813001002/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03145194 |archive-date=13 August 2016 |access-date=17 November 2016 |website=Data.companieshouse.gov.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/dlr/1532.aspx#page-link-agreement-with-serco |title=DLR management &#124; Transport for London |access-date=1 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930183042/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/modesoftransport/dlr/1532.aspx |archive-date=30 September 2012 }}</ref> operations began in April 1997.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.serco.com/media/pressreleases/archive/1997/008_1997.asp |title=Acquisition of DRML Shares |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313144228/http://www.serco.com/media/pressreleases/archive/1997/008_1997.asp |archivedate=13 March 2013 |publisher=Serco |year=1997}}</ref> A management buyout backed by Serco management later sold its shares to Serco. A two-year extension was granted in 2002. In February 2005 TfL announced that [[Balfour Beatty]]/[[Keolis]], [[Carillion|First Carillion]], [[RATP Group|RATP]]/[[Transdev]] and Serco had been shortlisted to operate the franchise,<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=1115 |title=Four Pre-Qualify for DLR Franchise |publisher=Transport for London |date=15 February 2005 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113151928/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=1115 |archive-date=13 November 2013 }}</ref> and in November 2005 TfL announced that Serco had retained the franchise for seven years from May 2006.<ref>{{cite press release|title=Serco appointed preferred bidder for £400m Docklands Light Rail service |date=22 November 2005 |publisher=Serco |url=http://www.serco.com/media/market/transport/DLR.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313144233/http://serco.com/media/market/transport/DLR.asp |archive-date=13 March 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://developments.dlr.co.uk/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=1122 |title=DLR awards new franchise to Serco |publisher=Transport for London |date=8 March 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113151931/http://developments.dlr.co.uk/NewsDetail.aspx?newsid=1122 |archive-date=13 November 2013 }}</ref>

In July 2012, TfL called for expressions of interest in bidding for the next DLR franchise,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tendersdirect.co.uk/Search/Tenders/Live.aspx?ID=%20000000003807322&sect=R009&cat=37&Source=Categories |title=Docklands Light Rail franchise contract |work=OJEU tender |date=13 July 2012 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and in January 2013 Serco's contract was extended until September 2014.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/26710.aspx |title=DLR operating contract extended until September 2014 |date=7 January 2013 |publisher=Transport for London |access-date=7 January 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117170025/http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/26710.aspx |archive-date=17 January 2013 }}</ref> In April 2013, TfL announced that [[Go-Ahead Group|Go-Ahead]]/[[Colas Rail]], [[Keolis]]/[[Amey plc|Amey]], Serco and [[Stagecoach Group|Stagecoach]] had been shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/27761.aspx |title= DLR announces short list of bidders for new franchise |publisher= Transport for London |date=17 April 2013}}</ref> However, on 30 August, just before the bid submission date of 9 September 2013, Go-Ahead/Colas Rail pulled out.<ref>{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Natalie |title=Go-Ahead forced to pull out of DLR contest |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/10278358/Go-Ahead-forced-to-pull-out-of-DLR-contest.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=31 August 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925030313/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/10278358/Go-Ahead-forced-to-pull-out-of-DLR-contest.html |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}</ref> The franchise was awarded to KeolisAmey Docklands Limited, with a handover date of 7 December 2014, expiring in April 2021 with an option for extension without going to tender.<ref name=":13">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-28157128 |title=French firm wins 7-year Docklands Light Rail franchise |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040401/http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28157128 |archivedate=24 September 2015 |work=BBC News |date=4 July 2014 }}</ref>

In August 2023, TfL went out for tender for the next DLR franchise, with KeolisAmey Docklands contract being extended to 2025 while bidding took place.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Preston |first=Robert |date=25 August 2023 |title=TfL tenders next Docklands Light Railway operating contract |url=https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/metros/tfl-tenders-next-docklands-light-railway-operating-contract/ |website=Modern Railways}}</ref> In February 2024, TfL announced that KeolisAmey, [[ComfortDelGro]] and Connecting Docklands (a [[joint venture]] of [[AtkinsRéalis]] and [[Go-Ahead Group]]) had been shortlisted to bid for the next franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=19 February 2024 |title=Three shortlisted for Docklands Light railway operating contract |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/three-shortlisted-for-docklands-light-railway-operating-contract/65949.article |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Railway Gazette International |language=en}}</ref> In October 2024, TfL announced that KeolisAmey retained the franchise, being awarded an eight-year contract to operate and maintain the DLR from 1 April 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=3 October 2024 |title=KeolisAmey retains the franchise to operate the DLR |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2024/october/keolisamey-retains-the-franchise-to-operate-the-dlr |access-date=2024-10-03 |website=Transport for London |language=en-GB}}</ref>