Passengers on the local Subway C line between Washington Heights and East New York, this Thursday, were the first to They lived the experience of the new R211T wagons, Technically known as trains. “open walkway”.
The difference with this new system is that there are no door divisions between the cars. The open walkway is a device similar to an accordion, which allows passengers to move freely around the train at any time.
This concept that is applied in many cities around the world, allows for more traveler capacity. This maiden voyage marks the first time such a train has operated in the modern history of the country’s metro system.
On traditional trains, move between cars, can be dangerous and life-threatening.
The wagons R211T They feature 58-inch door openings, which are eight inches wider than the existing fleet. They are designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains stay in stations.
In addition to wider doors, these cars offer additional accessible seats, digital screens that will provide more detailed information about the Brighter station, lighting and signage.
One of the aspects that were highlighted in the presentation of this system is that they are more accessible to people in wheelchairs and strollers.
“The advantage is that it allows people to not be trapped in a boxcar. There is more freedom of movement. So I think psychologically it improves the experience for passengers,” described Governor Kathy Hochul, at the time of putting these trains into service.
The new equipment includes security cameras pre-installed in each car, adding to the 1,000 subway cars that already have integrated cameras.
It is planned that the entire Subway fleet, have cameras installed by January 2025 to join 15,000 security devicesalready operational in the 472 stations.
There are no door dividers between the cars, but rather something similar to accordions that allow passengers to move more easily in larger spaces. (Photo: Courtesy Marc Hermann – MTA)
Coming?
These two units of 8 R211T cars, which are already traveling on line C, will be used by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to measure the reaction of passengers and solve operational problems. Similar technology will be incorporated into other lines such as “option of the future” of the most important transportation system in the Big Apple.
All of the Subway rolling stock will be replaced progressively, until displacing in a first stage, to the oldest ones dating back to the 1970sthat is, those equipped with orange seats. The timeline for this renovation is unclear.
In this sense, the president and CEO of the MTA, Janno Lieber specified that the average age of MTA subway cars is 25 years.
“Our oldest subway car, the R46 is almost 50 years old. As the next 20-year needs assessment noted, thousands of devices need to be purchased that must have more innovative designs and be eligible for federal funding. “This pilot program on the C line will show us if the open walkway design works for New Yorkers.”he clarified.
For its part, Quemuel Arroyo, director of accessibility at the MTA showed that the open walkway concept allows wheelchair users or those traveling with a stroller, for the first time in modern times, to navigate between train carriages without having to get off.
The inaugural R211T prototype had its maiden voyage this Thursday, February 1, 2024, symbolizing what will be the transportation of the future throughout Subway. (Photo: Don Pollard – Governor Office)
The data:
- 100% of Subway cars They will have security cameras installed in January 2025
2024-02-02 11:00:00
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