New modern cars launched in the New York subway: what is special about them

The New York City Subway has finally started using the new modern R211 cars. They were promised to be launched back in 2020, but due to the pandemic and other problems, new cars have only just begun to be used.

The MTA has ordered 640 new R211 cars. This is part of the Fast Forward plan announced in early 2018. It will allow you to upgrade the rolling stock of the subway in ten. During this time, almost 5 new cars will be put on the rails.

R211 cars have doorways 147 centimeters wide. This is 20 centimeters wider than the doorways of existing cars. Wider doorways are expected to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains spend at stations.

In addition, R211 wagons with open aisles are currently being tested. They are expected to launch in the fourth quarter of 2023. According to the MTA, they have “soft, accordion-like connecting passages that connect the subway cars and allow passengers to move freely between them.”

On the subject: New York Subway Aesthetics: '14th Street – Eighth Avenue'

Both types of carriages are also equipped with surveillance cameras, digital displays with information about services and stations, brighter lighting and signage.

“The new carriages will provide our passengers with modern comfort. So taking the subway will no longer feel like a step in the past,” said MTA CEO Janno Lieber. “We are investing more than $6 billion in new railcars as part of the MTA's historic $55 billion capital program. And it's not just aesthetics, because the new cars will allow us to operate more frequent flights.”

The news comes along with other changes, including speed increases on some lines, new metro safety plans, and a proposal to raise fares by 5,5%.