MTA to begin roll out of new R211A subway cars in 2024

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will take the first step in its plan to improve safety and accessibility to riders by phasing in five R211 subway cars on the Staten Island Railway in early 2024.

The cars 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. The cars were moved on flat-bed trucks across the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge overnight from Brooklyn to their current location at Clifton Maintenance Shop on Staten Island.

The R211 cars are a critical part of the MTA's ongoing modernization efforts and feature 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on existing cars – designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations. 

“For the first time in 50 years, brand new, faster, cleaner and safer trains are coming to Staten Island,” said New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “These new, top-of-the-line R211 cars feature security cameras and digital displays, along with wider doorways that will help speed up boarding times and run more reliable service. I look forward to delivering Staten Island Railway customers a totally modernized fleet as we introduce more new cars in the future.” 

“Wider doors and additional accessible seating will drastically improve the experience for all riders, particularly those with disabilities, parents with strollers and seniors,” said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “I’m excited for riders on Staten Island to experience a more comfortable and convenient ride.”

The models include security cameras, additional accessible seating, digital displays that will provide more detailed station-specific information and brighter lighting and signage, among other features that improve the customer experience.

The current class of cars on the Staten Island Railway are R44s, which joined the Staten Island Railway in 1973 after debuting on the subway the previous year.

In October 2022, the MTA announced the MTA Board had approved to order an additional 640 standard R211 subway cars, bringing the total number of new subway cars to 1,080 within the next two years. This second set of new subway cars is expected to be delivered in early 2025 and all Staten Island Railway cars are expected to arrive by the end of 2024.

“We are investing in state-of-the-art subway cars that will allow us to provide the best and most reliable service to our customers,” said New York City Transit Senior Vice President for Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “The R211S will give riders a more comfortable and modern experience on Staten Island.”