MTA Debuts Two Open-Gangway Subway Cars On G Train Line

QUEENS, NY — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday debuted two open-gangway cars on the G line at the Church Avenue station in Brooklyn.

The G line becomes the second subway line to have open-gangway trains. The C line debuted open-gangway trains last year.

R211 subway cars are a critical part of the MTA's ongoing modernization efforts systemwide, officials said Tuesday.

The subway cars include pre-installed security cameras in each car and feature 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on the existing car fleet, which are designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations.

In addition to wider doors, these cars provide additional accessible seating, digital displays that will provide more detailed station-specific information, and brighter lighting and signage.

“Between improved reliability, safety enhancements and amenities, R211 train cars will make a world of difference for train riders,” NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said. “The R211s are state of the art and less prone to breakdowns, which means smoother trips and more reliable service for decades to come.”

Last year, the New York City Transit Committee approved an order for 435 additional R211 subway cars. This order includes 355 closed-end cars and 80 open-gangway cars. The option would bring the total number of R211 cars ordered to 1,610.

The R211s will eventually replace all R44s on the Staten Island Railway and the current fleet of R46 subway cars, officials said.