Transport for London (TfL) will implement the changes from July 21 on quieter routes to maintain reliability across the network as it prepares to retire older trains and introduce 54 new units.
The timetable changes will begin during the summer school holidays, a period when passenger numbers are typically lower.
Stuart Harvey, TfL’s chief capital officer, said: “The testing of the new DLR trains is progressing well and customers will start to be able to use these modern trains later this year.
“The new trains will ensure a more frequent and reliable service across the network and support growth in the Docklands and beyond.
“We need to begin retiring some of the oldest trains, meaning some short-term timetable changes are required.
“We apologise for this inconvenience to customers, but they are necessary to ensure we can maintain the safest, most reliable service.”
From July 21, services between Beckton and Canning Town/Stratford International will be suspended, though Tower Gateway to Beckton services will continue to operate.
Peak hour services between Stratford and Lewisham will also be paused.
Trains will run every five minutes between Canary Wharf and Stratford during peak times, and every 6.5 minutes off peak.
Bank to Lewisham services will continue as normal, but passengers may need to change at Canary Wharf to complete their journeys.
Peak hours are defined as 6.30am to 10am and 4pm to 7.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The changes follow similar short-term adjustments made during the Easter period earlier this year.
TfL said the temporary reduction in service is necessary due to the age of the current trains, some of which will be retired this summer.
The new trains, which are expected to begin entering service later this year, will allow TfL to restore the full timetable once a sufficient number are operational.
The replacement vehicles offer increased capacity and improved passenger experience.
Each train will provide 10 per cent more space, air-conditioning, walk-through carriages, improved live travel information, mobile device charging points and enhanced accessibility features.
Testing of the new trains is ongoing, with successful mixed operation trials involving both old and new units completed in May.
Passengers are advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for their journeys, and make use of the TfL Journey Planner or TfL Go app for up-to-date information.
Posters, announcements and trained staff will be available onboard to assist during the transition.
