MTA Introduces Full R211S Fleet on Staten Island Railway
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has confirmed that all trains on the Staten Island Railway are now operating with the R211S model, replacing the R44 fleet that had been in service since the 1970s.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has confirmed that all trains on the Staten Island Railway are now operating with the R211S model, replacing the R44 fleet that had been in service since the 1970s.
The R211S trains form part of the authority’s wider investment in modern rolling stock across the New York City Transit system. The Staten Island Railway is the first line in the city to run entirely with the new model.
Among the features of the R211S trains are pre-installed security cameras in every carriage, digital information screens, and wider doors to improve passenger flow at stations. The doors measure 58 inches, eight inches wider than those on the previous fleet. Additional accessibility measures, such as designated seating, as well as brighter lighting and clearer signage, have also been introduced.
NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said:
This major milestone of successfully introducing all of the R211S cars into service on the Staten Island Railway means smoother commutes for Staten Islanders. The cars have features that make the customers’ journeys undeniably better, and I look forward to bringing more modern rolling stock to the transit system as part of the 2025 – 2029 Capital Plan.
The R211S fleet replaces 52 R44 cars, which were first introduced on the line in 1973. The R211S trains are expected to operate at a mean distance between failures of between 125,000 and 250,000 miles, compared with approximately 50,000 miles for the R44s.
The introduction of the new fleet has already been linked to improved passenger satisfaction, particularly in relation to reliability, service frequency, announcements, and on-board cleanliness.
MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said:
New rolling stock is a huge part of the MTA’s fully funded Capital Plan, and now Staten Island is the first borough to get a full fleet of R211S train cars. The new models not only look great, but they’re key to running more reliable service for the borough’s thousands of daily riders.
