The Metropolitan Transportation Authority unveiled the prototype for the model R211 subway car design on Thursday at the 34th St.-Hudson Yards station, welcoming members of the media and curious straphangers to come check out the futuristic car in person.
The new car appears to be a huge improvement over the system's existing cars. One much-needed new feature is the 58-inch door spans, which is eight inches wider than existing doors to allow even more people to cram on during rush hour.
Another upgrade that should help with overcrowding is the open gangways between cars, a feature already found on many subway trains around the world. No longer will folks have to step over the sketchy gap between cars when moving up or down the train.
Digital displays show real-time information about service and stations, while the line maps found in each car note the time in minutes to the next station and the location of stairways and transfer points to other lines in the system.
Every train will be fully WiFi enabled, and each car will even feature USB charging stations at each end.
MTA chairman Joe Lhota said in a release that customer feedback on the new cars is “very important,” and that “developing a first-in-class subway car is an essential part of modernizing our subway system.”
Source: nydailynews.com
