New York has launched the R211S subway trains, manufactured by Japan’s Kawasaki Rail. The MTA deployed the five-car trains on the Staten Island Railway, a 22.5 km line, this is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

R211S subway trains
Photo: MTA

Each train features four doors on each side, significantly speeding up the boarding and exiting process. The doors are 58 inches wide, which is 8 inches wider than previous models. This helps reduce station dwell times by 32%, which is critical for increasing capacity.

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The new trains will replace the outdated R44 subway trains, which were produced in the 1970s by St. Louis Car Company. The contract for the new trains was signed back in 2018, with an additional option for 640 more cars realized in 2022. The total contract value reached $3.2 billion.

Production of the trains takes place at Kawasaki’s factories in Lincoln and Yonkers, ensuring faster delivery and high-quality assembly. The MTA plans to continue modernizing its subway fleet to improve service.

In April 2023, the first R211A train was launched on the A line, and the R211T train debuted on the C line in February. Now, the R211S series has become a vital part of the NYC subway modernization program, improving passenger comfort and reducing travel time.

Photo, video: MTA

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