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MTA Subway Cars of the Future to Have WiFi and Phone Chargers

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“The open style of the train car could raise passenger capacity by 10%, according to transit experts. Subway riders could get relief from sardine-can conditions in the new “open” model of train car the MTA wants to test drive.”

On Monday, January 25th, the MTA revealed its plans for future subway cars with an open design and incredible amenities for the passengers, such as, electronic chargers, Wi-Fi and security cameras. The open style of train car could boost passenger capacity around 10%, according to transit experts.

According to The New York Daily News, “The Metropolitan Transportation Authority released a rendering of an open gangway train design — a style used in Toronto, London and Paris that lets passengers spread out on the full length of a train, instead of cramming themselves into individual cars.” New renderings were revealed to the public that illustrated the open design of the R211 subway cars the MTA is designing on the lettered lines. Officials also gave an update on timelines for different subway cars and their amenities, reports AM New York.

Sources claim that the MTA has budgeted $3.2 billion for all of the new cars and is spending four years designing them. That design work already began in 2012 and is scheduled to finish early this year. The MTA plans to spend $52 million on 10 open gangway cars for two full-length trains. The test run is still years away, with the prototypes expected to be delivered in 2020 the earliest.

The trains will be built as part of the MTA’s $2.7 billion purchase of new 940 R-211 model train cars to replace 40-year-old clunkers on A and F lines. The purchase is included in the agency’s $29 billion capital plan still pending in Albany. According to documents, the R188 cars are expected to be delivered by the end of July. Some have already been added to the No. 7 line. The 126 new cars, and the conversion of 380 older cars so that they can use the new signal system, cost the MTA almost $646 million, according to documents.

Currently, no subway cars have security cameras, though the MTA tried them out in a previous pilot project, reports AM New York. The modern trains will be equipped with WiFi and charging stations. The MTA will test the door-free design in just 10 of the 940 new cars for which it hopes to award a more than $3 billion contract early next year. The other amenities would be built into all 940 cars.

Carrie Dover

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