The Metropolitan Transportation Authority launched new R211S subway cars into service on the Staten Island Railway.
The cars, part of the MTA’s ongoing modernization efforts, are part of a 535-car order, which includes 440 R211A standard cars with state-of-the-art amenities, 75 Staten Island Railway cars and 20 cars with the open gangway feature. Following the announcement, attendees rode the first train in service on its inaugural ride from St. George Terminal.
They feature 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on existing cars. These are designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations.
The new cars are also six times more reliable than cars in the current fleet, able to travel an average of 240,000 miles between replacements and major repairs.
