NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is welcoming the first delivery of the next generation of subway cars.
At an unveiling ceremony in Brooklyn on Thursday morning, MTA officials pulled the white sheet away revealing a gleaming new subway car, featuring a thick diagonal blue stripe across the front doors.
"The impact for the city, for our customers, for the ridership, there's just no words for it. It's going to be amazing," the MTA's Demetrius Crichlow said of the the R211 trains, which he believes will revolutionize the subway experience. "You name it, this car has got it."
The subway cars feature digital displays, Wi-Fi, USB chargers and wider doors.
"They're about eight inches larger than our current fleet. It will speed up the time getting on and off the trains," Crichlow said. "This has the potential of reducing our dwell time between 25% and 30% at each station."
The new fleet will eventually replace the R46 trains, which are more than 40 years old and past their prime.
The trains must first undergo a year of testing before they're put into service.
"We start qualifying and testing within the next few weeks, so if you're lucky you may see them out on the road," said Crichlow.
The cars are being delivered about a year late from their Japanese manufacturer, Kawasaki.
"I'd say that it's been a challenge, but I think we're working together as partners to make sure that we move forward," Crichlow said.
A group of young transit enthusiasts gathered in Sunset Park to witness the big reveal in person.
"It's history in the making," said 16-year-old Alex DeSilva. "These cars are definitely going to be a big impact which is like a step in the future for the MTA."
"We just came all the way out here to see the historical event," said 18-year-old Keith Sylvan, who had his camera in hand and a subway map mask on his face. "They're so beautiful with the stripe on the side."