The Staten Island Railway is currently operating a new fleet of contemporary R211S cars instead of the 1970s trains. Officials cited the upgrade increases reliability, convenience, and access for the thousands of passengers a day in the borough.

Staten Island Railway completes upgrade with new R211S cars
Photo: global.kawasaki.com

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Staten Island Railway unveils Kawasaki-built R211S cars

The Kawasaki-made new R211S cars replace 52 outdated R44 cars in service since 1973. The MTA leadership at a ceremony held at St. George commemorated the milestone in terms of improved safety, ease of access, and smoother ride experiences for passengers.

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Synchronously, the trains of the R211S class possess screens of informational displays, video surveillance and wide doors for fast boarding. The trains also possess more generous seating and better internal equipment for a better passenger experience.

Upgraded fleet facilitates long-haul transportation enhancements

MTA President Janno Lieber confirmed the new cars are necessary in offering good service. Therefore, the Staten Island fleet upgrade is part of the larger New York City Transit plan for the upgrade of rail service through 2029.

The Staten Island cars are part of a 1,610 R211 car-order for the NYC Transit system of 100 cars in an open-gangway configuration. Nevertheless, the retired R44 cars will still remain a backup for limited service in the coming years.

What upgrades does the Staten Island Railway get from the new R211S cars?

The railway experience smooth rides, wider doors for faster boarding, enhanced security, and up-to-date passenger information systems for more secure and more comfortable day-to-day travel.

When did the new Staten Island R211S trains start operating?

The R211S cars came into service in October 2024. They have gradually replaced the older R44 cars ever since, and the complete fleet replacement was completed by 2025.

Will the older R44 cars continue in service?

Yes. While officially retired, the R44 cars will remain available as backup units for several years to support Staten Island service during maintenance or emergencies.

Source: www.trains.com

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