New York MTA Approves Purchase of Additional Subway Cars
The New York MTA Transit Committee has approved the purchase of additional 435 R211 subway cars which include 80 open-gangway cars to allow them to operate open-gangway trains on the G Line starting early next year.
The New York MTA has approved the purchase of an additional 435 R211 train cars, bringing the total number of ordered R211s up to 1,610.
PHOTO: MTA
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit Committee approved an order for 435 additional R211 subway cars, authorizing the full MTA Board to consider the order. The order includes 355 closed-end cars and 80 open-gangway cars.
With this order, the total number of R211 cars ordered by the MTA would rise to 1,610. Currently 345 R211 cars are in service throughout the New York Transit System, including on lines A and C and the Staten Island Railway.
New York City Transit also announced that early next year they will run at least two open-gangway trains on the G line, making it the second subway line with open-gangway trains. Customers will have a 1 in 5 chance of riding an open-gangway car on the G line. Open-gangway trains first arrived in New York on the C line earlier this year.
“Old train cars break down six times as frequently as new cars, so replacing them is more than just a matter of aesthetics,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This latest purchase will help us get the next generation of rolling stock on the rails sooner so we can keep making the system more reliable and dramatically upgrade the passenger experience.”
The R211s will eventually replace all R44s on the Staten Island Railway and the current fleet of R46 subway cars which have been in service for decades. This new option will allow NYC Transit to begin replacement of R68s, which entered service in the mid-1980s.
The new railcar has an average mean distance between failure rate of approximately 220,000 miles, compared to the R46’s 46,000 miles. The mean distance between failure is a measure of how far the railcar can travel before a mechanical issue occurs and requires maintenance.
Delivery of the new cars is expected to begin in 2027.
This approval builds on MTA’s ongoing efforts to modernize its entire fleet of rolling stock. The R211 features security cameras in every car, more accessible seating, brighter lights, clearer signage and 58-inch-wide door openings which are eight inches wider than standard door openings on existing cars.
More Rail
Trinity Metro Breaks Ground on $270M TEXRail Extension
The 2.1-mile extension will connect Fort Worth’s Medical District and Near Southside to downtown, surrounding communities, and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Read More →
Bringing Austin’s First Light Rail System to Life
Austin Transit Partnership CEO Greg Canally discusses the city's nearly 10-mile light rail project, its collaborative approach to project delivery, the importance of community engagement, and the milestones ahead as construction approaches in 2027.
Read More →
Metra Draft Plan Outlines Costs, Service Improvements for Regional Rail
The Systemwide Network Plan identifies infrastructure needs and potential investments to expand all-day, bidirectional rail service across the Chicago region.
Read More →
Amtrak Completes First Street Tunnel Upgrades, Restores Service
The nine-day construction project included replacing aging track infrastructure and modernizing switch systems near Washington Union Station.
Read More →
FRA Announces $2.3B for Passenger, Freight Rail Projects Nationwide
The CRISI Grant Program funding will support rail infrastructure improvements, safety upgrades, and projects aimed at improving freight and passenger rail service across 45 states and Washington, D.C.
Read More →
Caltrain’s Electrification Drives a New Era of Ridership Growth
The railroad’s shift to electric service has brought more frequent trains, stronger customer satisfaction, and increased ridership, earning it APTA’s Outstanding Public Transportation System award.
Read More →
FTA Advances $164M Broward County Commuter Rail Project
The proposed 10.5-mile commuter rail extension would connect Fort Lauderdale and Aventura, expanding passenger rail options in South Florida.
Read More →
New York MTA Launches Historic $1.9B Signal, Track Modernization Project
Funded in part by congestion pricing revenue, the project will replace nearly century-old signals along the A and C lines in Brooklyn and Queens.
Read More →
LA Metro Breaks Ground on East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project
The 6.7-mile line will add 11 stations along Van Nuys Boulevard, expand access to jobs and regional transit connections, and support Metro’s broader efforts to improve mobility as rail ridership grows.
Read More →
CSA Group Releases Climate Resilience Standard for Transit, Passenger Rail
Developed with support from the Standards Council of Canada, CSA D700 guides assessing climate-related risks and planning adaptation measures for transit and passenger rail systems.
Read More →