The nice people from Docklands Light Rail have contacted us to respond to our report from a couple of days ago of an unintentionally unmanned DLR train carrying passengers between stations. Here's what they had to say:
The Docklands Light Railway can confirm that on 30 October 2007, at approximately 09:45hrs a train in passenger service departed West India Quay platform 4 without a staff member on board. The train continued to Westferry platform 2 where the train stopped and passengers were able to alight.
A Passenger Service Agent met the train at Westferry station and it continued its journey in passenger service to Bank station.
At no point was the safety of passengers compromised. The DLR Control Centre has the ability to take control of any train on the system during any point of its journey between stations.
The Docklands Light Railway is an automated system. Passenger Service Agents are on board DLR trains to provide information, assistance and to carry out revenue duties.
Fair enough. But best not to make a habit of it, eh?