NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Gov. Kathy Hochul took a ride on the city’s first open gangway subway train Thursday as she announced 1,000 subway cars are now fitted with cameras for enhanced safety.
The new R211T open gangway subway cars will be on the C line, running between Washington Heights and East New York.
By January 2025, all NYC Transit vehicles will have security cameras, according to Hochul. This expands the subway's large camera network, which already includes about 15,000 cameras across 472 stations.
“The subway is the lifeblood of New York City and we’re making record investment so it’s safe, efficient and successful,” Hochul said. “New train cars, additional security cameras and more reliable service will make the subway system even better for decades to come.”
Following the announcement, Hochul and officials like MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber rode the open gangway R211T pilot cars, which are part of a larger order of R211A conventional 60-foot cars, funded by the Federal Transit Administration. So far, NYC Transit received 20 of the open gangway cars.
“The average age of MTA subway cars is 25 years old and our oldest subway car, the R46, is nearly 50 years old, Lieber said. “As the 20-year Needs Assessment pointed out, the MTA needs to acquire thousands of cars, they need to be the most innovative designs and be eligible for federal funding. This pilot program will teach us if the open gangway design works for New Yorkers.”
The new subways have doors that are 58 inches wide, 8 inches wider than current ones, to help passengers get on and off faster and keep trains moving smoothly. They also offer more space for passengers with disabilities, digital screens for detailed stop information, and improved lighting and signs to enhance the travel experience, according to a press release.
“Our subways are New York City’s backbone — and thanks to our partnership with Governor Hochul and the MTA, our backbone is stronger than ever,” Mayor Eric Adams said. “More New Yorkers are riding our subways, and we’re back to pre-pandemic ridership peaks. Make no mistake: we have more work to do. But these new trains — and the 1,000 subway cars we’ve already installed cameras in — are a great next step towards creating a safer, smoother subway experience for all New Yorkers.”
