New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced R211A train cars on the Rockaway Park Shuttle, marking the fifth subway service to operate the new fleet. The rollout replaces R46 cars that have been in use on the line since the 1970s.
This change forms part of wider fleet modernisation work across the subway system. The R211 cars include 58-inch door openings, which are wider than those on the outgoing fleet, alongside security cameras in each carriage, additional accessible seating, updated digital displays, and revised lighting and signage intended to improve legibility and onboard information.
MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Jessie Lazarus said:These new R211 subway cars will give customers on the Rockaway Park Shuttle the more modern, comfortable and reliable ride they deserve. Shuttle riders will appreciate the brighter lights, bigger doorways, and new communication technology throughout the new cars, which we’re rolling out across the B-Division to replace the fleets we bought generations ago.
The R211 fleet also has a higher mean distance between failure rate than the outgoing R46 cars, with approximately 294,221 miles between mechanical issues compared with 58,685 miles for the older trains.
The wider deployment of R211 trains across the system includes replacement programmes for older fleets such as the R68, R62 and R62A classes. A larger procurement process is also underway for additional subway cars intended to replace further ageing fleets across multiple lines.
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said:Getting new cars rolling in the system for riders to enjoy is essential to ensuring NYC Transit continues to provide fast, reliable, and safe service. While just in time for beach season, I’m also thrilled to be replacing 1970’s era cars with R211s that will provide customers with smoother and more reliable rides all year round.
