Governor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have announced the opening of the Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility. The new complex will be used to test and prepare subway cars before they enter service, according to a statement from the Governor's office.
The facility will be used to test and commission incoming rolling stock, including the R211 and upcoming R268 subway cars. It is the first new facility added since 1948 and is part of a $68 billion investment plan aimed at bringing new subway cars into service more efficiently.
Located near the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, the facility was completed on time and under budget, saving $5.5 million through the use of prefabricated elements. The Governor’s office and MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber stated, "Our historic $11 billion investment in rolling stock calls for a top-of-the-line new testing facility. Now we’re ready to start processing the 1,500+ rail cars included in the Capital Plan, no matter how they’re delivered — by land or by water."
The American Council of Engineering Companies of New York awarded the Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility a silver medal in Transportation for its design. MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer noted that the facility was completed on time and under budget and supports the introduction of new subway cars equipped with advanced features and CBTC-compatible technology to enhance service and passenger experience.
Local officials highlighted the new facility and its potential impact on the state’s transit system. State Senator Leroy Comrie noted its role in supporting transit reliability, and New York City Council Member Alexa Avilés said, "Investments that improve the efficiency of our trains will serve me and my neighbors, who rely on NYCT for their daily commutes across the city," while recognizing the contributions of NYCT workers, as noted by the Governor’s office.
