Trains
Delivering
Quality and Comfort
Over the past 30 years, MTA Capital Program investments in trains and maintenance facilities have dramatically improved the reliability of our service. In 1980, the average subway car broke down once every 6,800 miles. Today, the distance between breakdowns is 170,000 miles. On the commuter rail side, railcars averaged 15,500 miles between breakdowns in 1980, while our newest commuter railcars today average 139,000 miles between breakdowns.
The 2010 – 2014 MTA Capital Program includes $1.7 billion for new subway and rail cars. These investments will continue to improve the reliability of our fleet while giving customers the most comfortable and technologically-advanced vehicles in the business.
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Critical components are protected within the car body, so inclement weather is less likely to affect operations
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Single sliding doors provide high reliability and less susceptibility to snow intrusion
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Prominent external destination signs and public address speakers
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Large windows
The New M8 Rail Car
We're replacing 40-year-old cars on Metro-North's New Haven Line with brand new, 21st century cars— improving reliability and service quality while adding seats. Click on the sections on the train to learn more about the new M-8.
Distance Between Breakdowns
(in miles)| Subway | 1980s | 6,800 |
| 2011 | 170,200 | |
| Train | 1980s | 15,500 |
| 2011 | 139,500 | |
| Bus | 1980s | 1,100 |
| 2011 | 3,700 | |
