Open-gangway subways in service on C line, letting riders walk from one car to the next
NEW YORK -- The MTA's new open-gangway subway cars are now operating. You might see them on your commute.
They're the first of their kind in the country, and on Thursday CBS New York got up-close look at what makes them so unique. Reporter Elijah Westbrook was one of the first riders in Upper Manhattan.
They're shiny, modern and provide a ride most New Yorkers likely haven't experienced. They're called the R211T, the MTA's newest rolling stock.
The new fleet automatically differentiates itself from the rest. As soon as you board, one of the first elements you'll notice are wider doorways, brighter lighting, digital displays, and the biggest part -- the open-gangway feature. The soft accordion-like walls connect the cars and allow riders to move freely without ever having to exit the train, a plus for those who are disabled.
"Not only am I excited for riders like me who ride in a mobility devices, but everyone with luggage, or parents and caregivers with a stroller is going to have such a smooth transition," MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo said.
FLASHBACK: MTA unveils new R211 open gangway subway trains
The trains are part of a $6.1 billion subway modernization program that features security cameras at each end. They're from the same family of new rolling stock operating on the A line, which recently had issues months after it entered service in 2023. Officials say faulty gear boxes located underneath the train led to wheel-rotation issues.
"Never has this been done in New York before. There was a lot of operational issues. The goal is to really test this out," MTA CEO Janno Lieber said.
And now it's time. Riders finally hopped on board a Brooklyn-bound C train.
"It's good. You don't have to open the doors all the time and you just go through another car," one rider said.
"It's well lit. It's colorful," another said.
The MTA said the plan is to roll out additional R211 open-gangway subway cars in the days ahead. The goal is to eventually phase out R46 subway cars that have been in service since the 1970s.