Rahul Somvanshi
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has introduced two open gangway trains on the G line, bringing a major upgrade to the crosstown subway route that connects Brooklyn and Queens.
The first R211T model train began running on March 4, with a second train joining the fleet on March 5. Two more open gangway trains are scheduled to enter service by June, MTA officials announced.
These new cars feature a continuous design that allows passengers to move freely between cars through articulated sections – a significant improvement for the G line, which historically required passengers to rush down platforms to board shorter trains that stop in the middle of stations.
“Everyone that’s taken the G train knows the experience of hustling down the platform to make that train,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “You get to the last car of the train, and then the train is just a little bit crowded in that one last car. No more. Open gangways are open from end to end.”
Enhanced Features and Reliability
The R211T trains include several upgrades to improve passenger experience:
- 58-inch-wide door openings (8 inches wider than standard doors) to speed up boarding
- Pre-installed security cameras in every car
- Additional accessible seating
- Digital displays providing detailed station information
- Brighter lighting and improved signage
Perhaps most impressive is the reliability improvement. MTA data shows the new R211 cars have an average mean distance between failure (MDBF) rate of approximately 220,000 miles, compared to just 46,000 miles for the older R46 models they’re replacing. This means the new trains can travel nearly five times farther before experiencing mechanical issues requiring maintenance.
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Strategic Deployment
The four open gangway trains will make up nearly a third of the G line’s 13-train fleet, giving passengers a 15% chance of riding in these modern cars with each trip. These trains were previously operating on the C line, where the MTA first tested the open gangway design last year.
This strategic deployment marks the first time open gangway cars have been used on a line with significant elevated portions. Transit officials note this could help reduce subway surfing incidents by eliminating easy access to the train’s exterior.
The remaining nine G trains will continue using some of the oldest cars in the system until more new cars arrive. The MTA confirmed it has ordered 80 additional open gangway cars as part of a $1.3 billion purchase of 435 new subway cars from manufacturer Kawasaki.
Ongoing Improvements
The new trains are part of broader improvements to the G line, which underwent signal modernization work during a summer closure last year. The signal system upgrade will be completed by 2027, according to the MTA.
“Between improved reliability, safety enhancements and amenities, R211 train cars will make a world of difference for G train riders,” 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.”
The introduction of these modern cars comes as the agency faces ongoing funding challenges.
“We need the capital program. We can’t have a system that’s 115 years old in areas and continue without funds,” Crichlow added, emphasizing the importance of the next MTA Capital Plan.
Local officials have welcomed the improvements. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso noted: “Following the MTA’s renovations to the G line last summer, riders have steadily experienced smoother, more reliable service, and these new subway cars will offer even more benefits to commuters.”
