Latest subway cars roll into service, start their journey on the A line
Welcome the new, long-awaited R211 subway cars to the MTA family!
The MTA held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the arrival of its newest subway cars, the first to enter the system in more than five years. The gleaming and pristine R211 cars with distinctive blue and gold seats began their journey on the A Line at the line’s northernmost terminus at the 207th Street station in the Inwood neighborhood of Upper Manhattan. The event was streamed live and lucky members of the public boarded well before the train pulled out of the station.
The event marked the arrival of the first batch of R211 cars, with the remainder of the R211 fleet destined for the A line to arrive in a few months, according to Richard Davey, President of New York City Transit.
“Today is the first day that some of these cars are coming out,” Davey said. “We’re excited to retire some cars that have survived not just eight U.S. presidencies (and) probably 208 New York City Transit presidencies.”
The cars manufactured by Kawasaki are then expanded to the C line. The train is part of a 535 R211 car order with a further 640 cars. The Staten Island Railway will also use the R211.
“We’re pushing 1,200 cars into the New York City subway system,” said Janno Lieber, chairman and CEO of MTA. “We’re ready to really take advantage of the new signaling and run more trains.”
The R211s come with:
- Security cameras on the ceilings
- Wider door openings (58″ vs. 50″ on existing wagons)
- Open “gangway” passageways (similar to articulated buses with their “shotgun” layouts)
- Digital route maps above the doors
- Additional accessible seating, including folding wheelchair seats
- Flashing red and green lights on the doors indicate the entry and exit times
- Brighter lighting and signage
Some R211 models, like the one on the inaugural drive, have doors between each car. Others will have open passageways. Straphangers can expect some features to remain the same, including the ubiquitous, robotic “Stay away from the closing doors, please” announcements.
That moment when you’re waiting for the train and ✨this✨ pulls up.
New York, welcome aboard the R211.
Now in action on the A line 🎉 pic.twitter.com/711yPdCv96
— MTA (@MTA) March 10, 2023
The A line is one of the longest on the MTA, stretching 31 miles from Inwood in Manhattan to Far Rockaway in Queens.
A city official who attended the event said it’s about time the MTA made modern, clean cars available.
“From Inwood to Far Rockaway, New Yorkers deserve state-of-the-art subway infrastructure,” said Selvena Brooks-Powers, chair of the city council’s Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, who attended the unveiling. “New Yorkers deserve subways that are clean, safe, and accessible to everyone, including the elderly and members of the disabled community, with wider doors, more accessible seats, and security cameras, which is a big deal.”
Though a man of few words, MTA platoon commander Tito Thorpe shared his excitement at being the first to pilot the R211. He emphasized the “modern and contemporary” cars that would grow on him like “a new shoe”.
“I will be the first train operator to put this train into service with customers,” said Thorpe. “I am very confident that it will be an eventful evening.”
