MTA R262 subway cars and the largest order in agency history

MTA R262 subway cars are part of the authority’s biggest subway car procurement to date. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority is seeking bids for them. The base contract covers 1,140 vehicles. They would replace the R62 and R62A fleets on the 1, 3 and 6 lines. Another 1,250 cars remain optional. They would replace the R142 and R142A fleets on the 2, 4 and 5 lines.

“Thanks to Governor Hochul, the MTA has a historic $68 billion 2025-2029 Capital Plan, and New Yorkers are seeing a Golden Age of transit investment,” said MTA Chair/CEO Janno Lieber. “So much of our capital investment goes unseen, but this next subway car order — our largest ever — is a major step to visibly delivering the modern transit system New Yorkers deserve.”

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Also, officials compared the 2,390 subway car order with other systems. They pointed to the Chicago Transit Authority and the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority. It would be larger than those two subway fleets combined.

MTA R262 subway cars and replacement scope

Meanwhile, the vehicles are designated R262. They will be funded through the MTA’s 2025-29 Capital Plan. That plan received a historic $68 billion. Governor Hochul and the State Legislature provided it in the FY26 Enacted State Budget. The authority said it is the largest investment in new rolling stock in its history.

In addition, the purchase also draws on funds from the 2020-2024 Capital Plan. That plan is supported by congestion pricing revenues. At the same time, the subway has a 6,574-car fleet. The full contract could replace up to 36.4% of it. The base order alone would account for 17.3%.

New York MTA railcar RFP and contract terms

Separately, the authority said it is using a new approach. The New York MTA railcar RFP is part of that approach. This work falls under its new Rolling Stock Program. Also, contract terms and conditions were updated. The aim is to modernize the procurement. It also gives manufacturers more flexibility to propose new ideas.

In addition, more than 60% of the technical specifications are performance-based rather than design-driven. Also, bidders are asked for total cost of ownership projections for the first time. Still, officials said the streamlined structure reflects current contractor challenges. It also preserves the authority’s ability to secure quality cars on time.

Reliability targets, open gangway cars and onboard systems

Meanwhile, the MTA said the new cars are expected to improve reliability. MDBF measures how long a car can operate without issues, repairs or maintenance. The R262 specification sets an MDBF requirement of 200,000 miles. The average for the R62 and R62A fleets is 89,000 miles.

For example, the authority said the new standard should reduce problems during trips. It should also cut the time cars are removed from service. In addition, the Request for Proposals includes technical requirements. They cover efficiency, security, performance and the customer experience. Those features include higher-quality announcement systems and assistive listening devices. They would allow deaf passengers to connect through personal devices such as hearing aids.

At the same time, the future order will include open gangway cars. The RFP says their number is still undetermined. This would be a first for the A-Division, the numbered lines. Also, efficiency upgrades include automatic passenger counting and electric braking control. Those changes are designed to reduce the number of parts used. Separately, security features include onboard cameras like those already installed across the current subway fleet. They also include platform-edge CCTV and an electronic lock intended to prevent unauthorized cab access.

Still, proposals are due September 8. The contract is expected to be awarded by early 2028.

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