MTA Gives Sleek, Shiny, Subway Cars of the Future a Test Run Before Rolling Them Out Later this Year

By Yehudit Garmaise

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) hopes to run two types of shiny, new subway cars of the future running on the city’s tracks by the end of 2023, but on Friday, reporters were invited aboard to see for themselves how New Yorkers will soon get around the city. 

“This is NYC Transit President Richard Davey welcoming you on our inaugural R211 open gangway trip,” said Davey, as reporters enjoyed roaming the new subway cars’ “open gangway style,” which allows passengers to walk and move in between subway cars while the train is moving: without having to open doors.

“Open gangway pilot cars allow customers with mobility devices and strollers the ability to move through a train like never before, and I'm excited to try out these new cars,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo.

The MTA is testing two different subway cars, one with slim/narrow walkways, and one with articulated joints, like long city buses, to determine which shape can better perform on the city’s curved tracks.

The new model of 535 modernized subway cars also feature: digital displays of routes in real-time, wider aisles, larger doors, new grab bars, priority seating for those with disabilities, brighter LED lighting, and multiple security cameras.

“Customers will be excited to board these trains,” Davey said as the new trains, which are part of a $6 billion investment into 1175 new train cars, took their first run on the F line.

"Putting these cars into service will be a huge milestone in the MTA’s efforts to modernize our fleet,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "These modern subway cars will of course upgrade the passenger experience, but they will also complement our signal improvement efforts and allow us to run more trains and provide more frequent subway service."