The MTA’s R62 subway cars are some of the oldest in the system — over 40 years old — and are often responsible for delays, breaking down more often than most others.
“Definitely didn’t have air conditioning,” rider Chandler Higgins said. “Lots of sweating.”
What You Need To Know
R62s and R62a subway cars have orange and yellow seats that riders say they like, but have been in service more than 40 years and frequently malfunction and cause delays
The MTA announced the single largest procurement of subway cars — more than 2,300 — to replace the orange and yellow seat cars on the numbered lines
The MTA is looking for innovative ideas and even more open gangway cars, but riders won’t see the new cars until 2030
Despite some reporting discomfort, the yellow and orange seats hold a place in riders’ hearts, with one rider comparing them to the old-fashioned feeling of the MetroCard.
“Nostalgic. Nostalgia,” Dawud Gaston said. “We grew up riding those trains, so, you know, it’s going to be sad when they’re gone.”
The MTA announced Thursday they’re replacing the cars.
“We’re putting out an RFP for the MTA’s largest ever order of subway cars,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said.
More than 2,300, in fact, to replace the orange-and-yellow-seated cars on the numbered lines, except for the 7.
“We all have a soft spot for the for the older cars, especially the orange and yellow seats on the R46 and the R62 models,” Lieber said. “But it’s a fact that these old cars break down much more frequently than the new cars. That means service impacts for New Yorkers.”
The MTA is looking for companies with innovative ideas to make the cars more efficient and reliable, but also pleasing for customers.
“One thing we’ve included in the technical specifications are higher-quality electrical couplers, and that essentially brings great audio into the cars,” said Jessie Lazarus, the MTA’s chief of the Rolling Stock Program. “We’re also looking for assisted-listening devices so that these announcements, any announcements, can connect directly to hearing aids.”
There could also be more open gangway cars where passengers can easily walk from car to car, like on the G train, which is appealing to those who still love the old trains.
“Oh definitely. Definitely, definitely, definitely,” Gaston said. “I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to something new.”
There will still be plenty of time to enjoy, or maybe be inconvenienced by, the subway cars with the orange and yellow seats. These new cars won’t be ready until at least 2030, and the first batch will be on the 1, 3 and 6 trains.