The MTA is rolling out additional open-gangway style cars across the subway system—and the G train will be among the first to benefit.
The agency announced earlier today that the board gained approval to purchase 435 additional R211 subway cars, 80 of which are open-gangway (meaning passengers can move throughout the length of the train). The MTA has already started running this style of train on the A and C line, but shared that the G would be the next line to get the upgrade.
“Old train cars break down six times as frequently as new cars, so replacing them is more than just a matter of aesthetics,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “This latest purchase will help us get the next generation of rolling stock on the rails sooner so we can keep making the system more reliable and dramatically upgrade the passenger experience.”
The G train will get two open-gangway trains in early 2025. The Staten Island Railway, N, Q, R, W, and B, D lines should be getting the upgrades in 2027.
What can straphangers expect from the new trains? According to the MTA, “[t]he R211 features security cameras in every car, more accessible seating, brighter lights, clearer signage and 58-inch-wide door openings, which are eight inches wider than standard door openings on existing cars.”
And, yes, this change does spell the end of the iconic orange-and-yellow seating across many lines. The MTA plans to replace those starting next year.
What took them so long??! Try stopping fare beaters and maybe you can expedite funding for more.
Agreed. Also put dangerous mentally ill or hard core violent felons to either hospitals or prisons where they belong.
Noooooo! Give us regular 6-car trains instead please.
Open gangways add 10% passenger capacity. This is great news for those crushed commute days.
Great, now please add a few cars so those of us at the Greenpoint station entering from India St. don’t have to run to the train in the morning cuz it stops mid platform! Yeesh. This should be a no-brainer, I know lots of folks have complained about it and yet STILL not resolved. What’s up with that??
These train cars have less seating. People are going to fight because they want to fold down the seat in order to sit which will take up more standing room.