The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board recently approved the purchase of 535 state-of-the-art, next-generation R211 subway cars. Prior to the approval, NYC Transit presented prototypes of the new cars at 34 Street -Hudson Yards to seek customer feedback, as well as introduce the future of the New York City subway to the public.
[Photos] Tour NY MTA's next-generation subway cars
Some of the R211 cars will feature an “open gangway” pilot program located at the ends of the cars. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
The $1.4 billion contract, awarded to Kawasaki Rail CarInc., includes options for up to 1,077 additional cars, for a total acquisition of up to 1,612 cars at a cost of $3.7 billion. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
During December's open house, MTA staff was on-hand and on social media as customers helped further refine the design. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
In December 2017, New York City Transit presented prototypes of the new R211 designs at 34 Street -Hudson Yards to seek customer feedback, as well as introduce the future of the New York City subway to the public. Photo by MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
For the initial, base contract, Kawasaki will design and deliver 440 new closed-end cars for the B Division, 75 closed-end cars for Staten Island Railway, and 20 innovative open gangway cars as part of a pilot program to MTA New York City Transit. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
Cars delivered to the B Division will be compatible with an advanced signaling system known as Communications-Based Train Control, enabling New York City Transit to deliver more frequent and reliable service by operating trains more closely together. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
The cars will be built and tested in Kawasaki facilities in Yonkers, N.Y., and Lincoln, Neb. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
All of the cars also include digital displays that will provide real-time, location-specific information about service and stations, new grab rails including double-poles, and brighter and clearer lighting, signage, and safety graphics. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
The R211 cars feature 58-inch-wide door openings, which are eight inches wider than standard doors on existing cars. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann
The expanded doors are designed to reduce delays and speed up train movement by speeding boarding and reducing the amount of time trains sit in stations. Photo: MTA New York City Transit/Marc A. Hermann