The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that the first cars refurbished and reconfigured are now in service on the E line. The R-160 cars are part of a 100-car pilot designed to increase the capacity and enhance the performance reliability of the metro car fleet.
Each of the trainsets had the “master controllers” – which are responsible for the braking and acceleration of the trains – replaced. The master controllers were identified as one of the leading causes of failures on the R-160’s. Additionally, seats were removed at the ends of each of the cars to increase capacity and reduce the time it takes for passengers to get on and off the trains. The seat removal is expected to increase the capacity of each train by between 80 and 100 passengers.
The refurbished and reconfigured E trains also include: improved stanchions and hand rails to enhance customer comfort and safety; display LCD screens in all cars to provide customers with better information; LED lighting to improve lighting and reduce energy consumption; interior and exterior wrapping of the cars for customers to identify Pilot Trains, as well as car exterior indicators to identify the cars that have the modified seating arrangement.
“Providing a safe and reliable ride is what our customers demand and what the MTA is determined to deliver through our Subway Action Plan. We do not have time to waste when it comes to improving the customer experience and service for our riders. This pilot goes directly to the heart of that goal by attacking a significant cause of failures on these cars and making a fast, targeted improvement. We also know that getting more passengers onto trains, in a more efficient manner, is absolutely essential – which is why we’re piloting the removal of select number of seats,” said Joseph Lhota, MTA Chairman.
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