Kawasaki receives propulsion components for the NYCT's R211 subway cars from Alstom.
In the heart of New York, the city that never sleeps, a significant modernization project is underway. This project, aimed at enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and passenger experience of the city's subway system, has a strong U.S.-based manufacturing component.
The New York City Transit's (NYCT) new subway cars, part of the R211 series, are being produced by Kawasaki Rail Car Manufacturing. These new cars are a crucial step towards replacing older rolling stock and modernizing the fleet. The R211 series features modern amenities such as open gangways, wider doors, LED lighting, and updated passenger information systems.
The propulsion system for these R211 trains will be an integral part of NYCT's efforts to modernize its transit system. This system will be supplied by Alstom, a global leader in the rail sector. With the exercise of its second contract option with Kawasaki Rail Car Inc., Alstom will supply propulsion components for an additional 435 R211 subway cars.
This propulsion equipment will be manufactured at Alstom’s Hornell, New York facility—the largest passenger rail manufacturing site in the U.S. This site produces key components such as AC traction motors, traction cases, and high-speed circuit breakers. The facility also boasts a combined test/power laboratory, where all propulsion components are rigorously tested and validated on-site.
With this second option exercised in July 2025, more than 80% of NYCT’s fleet will ultimately be equipped with Alstom’s propulsion system. This reflects a significant modernization effort for reliability and efficiency.
Alstom's President, Michael Keroullé, expressed his excitement about delivering cutting-edge components that will help keep millions of passengers moving to their destinations. The introduction of the R211 series is aimed at modernizing and improving service reliability for NYCT riders.
The current status of the R211 series subway cars in NYCT is that they are progressively being delivered and introduced into service. Pilot cars have been delivered since mid-2021, and full revenue service commenced with various R211 sub-models from 2023 through 2024.
Future plans involve continued production and delivery of these additional R211 cars equipped with Alstom propulsion systems at the Hornell facility. This will further replace aging subway cars and improve service reliability across the system.
In summary, the R211 series subway cars will be a significant contribution from Alstom's Hornell facility, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of urban transit systems in New York City. This reflects a robust, ongoing modernization project that will undoubtedly benefit the city's commuters for years to come.
The modernization project in New York City, which involves the subway system, includes a collaboration between the New York City Transit (NYCT) and global leaders in the rail sector, such as Alstom. Alstom's Hornell, New York facility, the largest passenger rail manufacturing site in the U.S., will produce propulsion components for the R211 series subway cars. With these components, the reliability and efficiency of NYCT's public-transit system will be significantly improved, contributing to the overall transportation infrastructure of the city. This modernization effort, driven by both private industry (Alstom) and public transit (NYCT), will ultimately benefit the automotive and finance sectors as well, by streamlining public-transit operations and boosting the city's economic growth.
