Commuters riding the G train can finally enjoy a modern experience as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) introduces a full fleet of R211 subway cars across the Brooklyn-Queens route. The long-awaited upgrade delivers improved comfort and advanced technology. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The new R211 models, featuring sleek designs and diagonal headlights, debuted on the A line in 2023 after pandemic-related delays.

G train upgrade brings new R211 subway cars
With little to no fanfare from the MTA, all trains on the crosstown G line have been replaced with new R211 models in recent weeks. (Evan Simko-Bednarski/New York Daily News)

They have since replaced older trains on the A and C lines, and now they serve G line riders. Earlier this week, the MTA confirmed all 13 trains on the G route are R211s.

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G train upgrade enhances rider experience

This change comes after months of inconvenience for passengers. In early 2024, the MTA reassigned trains because of track issues elsewhere, leaving the G line with outdated R68 cars. Riders also faced partial service during summer signal modernization for Communication-Based Train Control (CBTC), requiring several weekend and nighttime shutdowns.

Four R211 trains with open gangways — allowing passengers to walk between cars — have been in operation since March. Now, the entire fleet supports CBTC technology. Modernization efforts will continue through 2027 as the MTA installs advanced signaling systems across the G route.

G train improvements resolve past equipment shuffle

Previously, R160 cars operated on the line but were moved to the E, F, and R routes after track defects caused excessive wheel wear there. To fill the gap, the G line used 1980s-era R68 cars scheduled for retirement. Riders expected the R160s back by March, but that never happened.

New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow explained that crews resolved the wheel wear issue by reducing train speeds around sharp curves by about five miles per hour. “We’re confident these changes will prevent further damage,” he stated.

With the G train now fully upgraded, commuters can expect a safer, more reliable, and comfortable travel experience. These improvements mark a major step in the MTA’s ongoing modernization strategy for New York City’s subway network.

Source: www.nydailynews.com

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