Staten Island Trains Get Long-Anticipated Upgrade
Credit: Jose Martinez/The City
A long-awaited upgrade to Staten Island’s oldest train fleet has finally arrived. The first of the modern R211 cars began serving riders on Tuesday, putting an end to years of delays and subpar travels for commuters.
Almost 50 Years of Neglect
The cars that previously ran on the Staten Island Railway, which connect St. George and Tottenville, have been in use since 1971 – a staggering 53-year-old fleet that has endured decades of wear and tear. Commuter Ben Kasprzak, 43, reminisced about the struggles passengers have faced.
"I’ve been riding those same old cars since I was a kid, the air conditioning is always on and off, they’re very uncomfortable," Kashprzak said.
New Trains Promising Better Experience
Designed by Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki and purchased by the MTA in 2018 at a cost of $1.4 billion, these new trains come equipped with wider doors, flip-up seats and pre-installed security cameras. "Not only are these cars better for our riders but they’re also more reliable," said Demetrius Crichlow, interim president of New York City Transit.
Each of the 535 carriages is expected to deliver a smoother and faster trip, with at least six times more reliability compared to the current R44 cars.
Still a Long Way to Reach Full Capacity
In terms of the R211 implementation, the first step is to put 25 cars into service for now, with another 100 expected to arrive in about a year. As production continues, all train cars will eventually be transformed, ensuring the reliable pace and comfort of modern metropolitan transportation.
According to MTA chairperson Janno Lieber, the new capital plan dedicated $7.6 billion to purchasing 1,500 new subway cars to upgrade the aging fleet even further.
Challenges and Road Ahead
The journey from introduction of the new cars to actual replacement of the outdated rolling stock is expected to be finished by mid-2025. In order for the new train to achieve the desired standards, three months of smooth operations prior to the deployment of this new technology must take into account the daily load changes.
Starter’s Reaction
A commuter test ride was undertaken by those who boarded the first trips, including 26-yr-old Arqiel Roldan, having a Lego model built during the trip to this latest train car, a moment of joy among other commuter experiences.
Community Delight
"I really took an MTA bus so I could come out tonight and see this brand that’s been introduced and used in this beautiful," – Stephen Martone. (Bay Ridge resident in disguise)
