Agency is planning a base order of 504 new cars, which will be identified as the R262 class, with the option of 445 additional cars.
The cars had been removed from service after two isolated incidents related to the door mechanisms.
Board approved the $1.4 billion contract award of 535 R211 cars to Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. in 2018.
Some ideas discussed include locating a full-scale facility where passenger railcars could be designed, manufactured, and tested.
Originally expected to be delivered in 2014, the first car from manufacturers Bombardier Transportation didn’t arrive in New York until September of last year.
The MTA is using design-build contracts to expedite the process and ensure the shortest timeframe for project completion. These vital investments are part of the $27 billion, five-year MTA Capital Program to renew and expand the MTA network.
Placing vertical poles in the middle to maximize that premium near-the-door space for short-trip passengers and transverse seating at the ends of the cars for long-distance riders are some recommendations.
The order is valued at approximately $599 million. Delivery of 10 pilot cars is scheduled to take place in the third quarter of 2014, followed by delivery of the remaining production series cars between mid-2015 and early 2017.
The $600 million order will allow rolling stock manufacturer to retain 300 jobs and preserves an additional 200 jobs for area suppliers.
The options are part of the Toronto Rocket Subway Train contract signed in December 2006.