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JuLy 2 - JuLy 8, 2026
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MTA debuts R211 trains in Rockaways The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has introduced standard R211A subway cars on the Rockaway Park Shuttle. It is the fifth subway line to receive the new fleet and fully replacing the R46 cars that have operated on the shuttle since the 1970s. The rollout comes as weekend Rockaway Park Shuttle service has b e e n extended for the summer to improve connections to t h e Rockaways. Part of the M TA ' s systemw i d e modernJeSSie LazaruS ization MTA chief of Rolling effort, Stock the R211 cars feature door openings that are 8 inches wider than those on existing subway cars to speed boarding and reduce station dwell times. The trains also include security cameras, additional accessible seating, digital information displays and upgraded lighting and signage. “These new R211 subway cars will give customers on the Rockaway Park Shuttle the more modern, comfortable and reliable ride they deserve,” MTA Chief of Rolling Stock Jessie Lazarus said in a news release. “Shuttle riders will appreciate the brighter lights, bigger doorways and new communication technology throughout the new cars, which we're rolling out across the B Division to replace the fleets we bought generations ago.” The MTA has been expand-
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huttle riders will appreciate the brighter lights, bigger doorways and new communication technology.
Marc A. Hermann/MTA
A R211A subway car in service on the Rockaway Park Shuttle after the new fleet was unveiled on June 17. i n g t h e u s e o f R211 cars throughout the transit system. In 2025, the trains replaced all R44 cars on the Staten Island Railway. The fleet is also replacing R46 subway cars operating on the A, C, N, Q, R and W lines and beginning to replace R68 cars, which entered service in the mid-1980s and primarily operate on the B, D, N and W lines. According to the MTA, the R211 fleet averages roughly 294,221 miles between mechanical failures requiring maintenance, compared with 58,685 miles for the R46 fleet. City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said the new trains would improve reliability while replacing aging equipment. “Getting new cars rolling in the system for riders to enjoy is
essential to ensuring NYC Transit continues to provide fast, reliable and safe service," Crichlow said in the release. “While just in time for beach season, I'm also thrilled to be replacing 1970s-era cars with R211s that will provide customers with smoother and more reliable rides all year round.” The expansion of the R211 fleet follows the MTA's March announcement that it is seeking proposals for what would be the largest subway car contract in its history. The base order would include 1,140 subway cars to replace the R62 and R62A fleets operating on the 1, 3 and 6 lines, with an option for an additional 1,250 cars to replace R142 and R142A cars operating on the 2, 4 and 5 lines. The MTA also reported higher customer satisfaction rat-
ings for cleanliness on lines using R211 trains. In the fall 2025 Customers Count survey, cleanliness satisfaction reached 63 percent on the A line, 62 percent on the B line, 64 percent on the C line and 78 percent on the G line, compared with a systemwide average of 59 percent. The B line's cleanliness rating increased by 7 percentage points, while the G line's rating rose by 14 points after the introduction of R211 trains. Transit Executive Vice President of Subways Bill Amarosa
Jr. said the arrival of the trains complements the a g ency's enhanced summer service to the Rockaways. “This summer's Rockaway service is now paired with a better ride with the arrival of R211 cars on the Rockaway Park Shuttle,” Amarosa said in the release. “These trains are brighter, more accessible and equipped with modern technology that helps us deliver better service.” — Jeffrey Bessen