London trains could get cardboard steering wheels to boost passengers’ fun

Cardboard steering wheels could be added to trains in London to boost the experience of passengers pretending to drive them, Sadiq Khan said.

The Mayor of London revealed the measure is being considered for Docklands Light Railway (DLR) services.

Stickers featuring the message ‘driving the train’ will be trialled this month.

TfL will consider how it brings to life the driving the DLR experience for children. This could involve cardboard steering wheels

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

DLR trains are fully automated and operate without a driver, but have a member of staff on board who can take control in an emergency.

This leads to the front seats often being filled by transport enthusiasts young and old pretending to drive the train.

Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon asked Mr Khan if the roll-out of new DLR trains starting this year will promote the hobby.

TfL is also exploring a number of other customer and community engagement activities to support the introduction of new DLR trains (John Stillwell/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - John Stillwell

In a written response on December 28, the mayor stated: “Transport for London (TfL) will be trialling ‘driving the train’ vinyl stickers trialled across 10 trains in January 2024, and is exploring a number of other customer and community engagement activities to support the introduction of new DLR trains.

“As part of this, TfL will consider how it brings to life the driving the DLR experience for children. This could involve cardboard steering wheels.

“TfL will review learnings from the front seat ‘driving the train’ vinyl sticker trial in early 2024 before finalising plans.

“The roll-out of new trains will also be supported by an integrated marketing and communications campaign to demonstrate that TfL is investing to improve customers’ journeys.”