Board approved the $1.4 billion contract award of 535 R211 cars to Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. in 2018.
Wire crimping has never been done properly, which contributed to incidents where railcars have problems that can create significant delays.
The MTA 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.
As part of the contract awarded to Kawasaki Rail, the new subway cars will be built in New York and Nebraska.
The new cars will come outfitted with security cameras and positive train control equipment when they are delivered to the railroad.
During a visit to Kawasaki's Lincoln, Neb. plant, the secretary of transportation said Congress' hesitation to pass the $302 billion, four-year transportation reauthorization proposal creates economic uncertainty for millions of Americans who rely on public transportation.
Expects up to 676 cars will be assembled at Kawasaki’s plant in Yonkers, N.Y., and anticipates up to 1,500 people will be employed in New York State.
During the past quarter-century, the manufacturer has sustained hundreds of jobs, while producing more than 2,500 railcars at its plant, which sits in the heart of the Northeast Corridor. Kawasaki is currently working on the next generation of the 7 line subway cars that will be supplied to New York City Transit.
Plans to spend $215 million over the next five years to replace 100 4000-series railcars under a contract with Kawaski. The cars have had numerous problems with brakes, lights and air conditioning. An overhaul for the cars would cost about $1.5 million per car.
The 364 7000-series cars include a customer-preferred blue and gray interior color scheme; a stainless steel exterior with 64 vinyl padded seats and seat-back grab handles; two dynamic LCD route maps and four video screens in each car; and a “quad-unit configuration” of the cars.