MTA Announces All R211S Train Cars in Service on Staten Island Railway

Modern Cars Feature Wider Doors, Security Cameras Throughout the Train, Digital Screens in Every Car and Additional Accessibility Features

See Video of R211S Cars

See Photos and Video of Today's Event

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that the entire Staten Island Railway (SIR) fleet is now entirely made up of the standard R211 subway cars. R211 subway cars are a critical part of the MTA's ongoing modernization efforts systemwide.

"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" said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. "The new models not only look great, but they're key to running more reliable service for the borough's thousands of daily riders."

"This major milestone of successfully introducing all of the R211S cars into service on the Staten Island Railway means smoother commutes for Staten Islanders," said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. "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 cars include pre-installed security cameras in each car and feature 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on the existing car fleet, which are designed to speed up boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations. In addition to wider doors, these cars provide additional accessible seating, digital displays that will provide more detailed station-specific information, and brighter lighting and signage, among other features that improve the customer experience.

The R211S cars will replace 52 R44s on the Staten Island Railway, which joined the SIR in 1973. In line with best industry practices, R44 cars will be available for a few years as the new fleet is introduced. The new railcar has an average mean distance between failure (MDBF) rate of approximately 125,000-250,000 miles, compared to the R44's 50,000 miles. The MDBF is a measure of how far the railcar can travel before a mechanical issue occurs and requires unscheduled maintenance.

Since the new cars were introduced, the Staten Island Railway has seen improved customer satisfaction in waiting times, frequency of delays, cleanliness on board trains, announcements on board trains, service reliability and overall satisfaction on board the SIR.

"This investment in Staten Island transit brings modern, safer, and more comfortable cars to our community," said State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton. "The R44 cars have run on the Staten Island Railway since 1973, and our residents have long been overdue for an upgrade to match the advancements other boroughs have enjoyed for years. After 50 years, I'm absolutely thrilled that my constituents will be able to ride the new R211 subway cars during their daily commutes. The placement of these last few cars represents not just a long overdue technological upgrade, but also a renewed commitment to delivering reliable and efficient public transportation to Staten Islanders for years to come."

"The completion of this upgrade means a safer and more comfortable commute for Staten Islanders, something my colleagues and I have been requesting for years," said Assembly Member Michael Reilly. "I want to thank our partners at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for their steadfast commitment to deliver these R211 subway cars."

"Having reliable and modern service is not just about convenience; it is about connecting communities, supporting working families, and ensuring Staten Islanders receive the same quality of service as the rest of New York City," said Assembly Member Charles Fall. "I thank the MTA for their commitment to improving service on the North Shore and beyond, and I look forward to the positive impact these upgrades will bring to our residents." 

"Staten Islanders deserve modern, reliable transit, and the arrival of the R211S fleet on the Staten Island Railway delivers just that," said Council Member Kamillah M. Hanks. "This milestone is about more than new trains. It is about respect for our commuters, investment in our community, and ensuring Staten Island is no longer an afterthought when it comes to transit equity."

"We are pleased that, after fifty years, the Staten Island Railway will finally be completely up-to-speed with the rest of the City," said Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella. "The newer trains are a welcome development for safety, accessibility, and comfort when traveling. We will continue to support and advocate for modernizing our Staten Island Railway and putting our commuters first."