Brooklyn's G line has introduced its first "open gangway" subway train, a move that provides riders with a seamless journey from one end of the train to the other. According to Gothamist, Demetrius Crichlow, New York City Transit President, says these trains are unique and afford a roomier ride. The G line, known for its shorter five-car trains, now offers passengers the chance to spread out and avoid the crowds that typically congregate at the last car.
During the inaugural journey, commuters experienced the difference firsthand. "Everyone that’s taken the G train knows the experience of hustling down the platform to make that train," Crichlow told NY1. “You get to the last car of the train and then the train is just a little bit crowded in that one last car. No more. The open-gangways are open from end to end, so customers have the ability to walk from one end of the cab car to the opposite end to where there’s space.” This upgrade aligns with other systems worldwide and is a welcomed shift. Commuter Larry Geddis expressed his approval, "Now, you can move away and go to the first car as it should be," he told NY1.
The functionality inherent in the new R211T model goes beyond the open gangways. The trains feature wider doors for expedited boarding, more effective digital displays, increased cameras for security, and brighter lighting for a better riding experience. These newer models promise to provide more dependable service to around 166,000 G line riders each weekday. Liz Longo, a passenger who has witnessed the evolution of the G train over the years, finds the changes revitalizing. "It’s refreshing seeing people all the way through," she stated in an interview with Gothamist.
As the MTA continues its upgrades on the G line, the integration of the open gangway trains marks just the beginning of broader improvements. The MTA has also been focused on installing a new signal system known as communications-based train control, set to be functional by 2027, and has given a facelift to 10 G line stations with new wall tiles, repainted columns, and LED lamps. Even as the joy of progress is felt by riders, a hint of nostalgia lingers for the older models' signature yellow and orange seats, as 23-year-old daily commuter Edwin Montez confessed to Gothamist.
Moving forward, a total of four open gangway trains will serve the G line, with two more scheduled to be in operation within the next two months. This introduction is part of a significant MTA investment plan involving an order for 435 new cars, including 80 more open gangway models, valued at $1.3 billion. The promise is that similar upgrades will return to the C line by 2027.
