R160 (New York City Subway car)
| Company type | Subway cars |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | 2006–2010 |
| Founder | Alstom, Kawasaki |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
Area served | New York City Subway B Division |
| Products | Subway cars |
The R160 series comprises New Technology Train subway cars designed for the New York City Subway's B Division. Rolled out between 2006 and 2010, these units replaced the entire fleet of R38, R40, and NYCT-operated R44 cars, as well as the majority of R32 and R42 models. Visually, the R160s bear a strong resemblance to earlier R143 and subsequent R179 trains; however, a significant advancement is the incorporation of the Flexible Information and Notice Display (FIND) system, which replaces the fixed LED route maps found on R143s and other A-Division New Technology trains.
The entire fleet consists of 1,662 cars divided into two categories: 1,002 R160A units produced by Alstom and 660 R160B cars manufactured by Kawasaki. The R160A fleet includes 372 four-car sets alongside 630 five-car sets. Conversely, all R160B cars are arranged exclusively in five-car sets and vary by propulsion technology—most utilize Alstom ONIX propulsion comparable to that in the R160A models, while units numbered 8843–9102 operate with Siemens SITRAC propulsion.
Kawasaki completed delivery of the R160B series without major issues, with these cars entering service on August 17, 2006. Alstom encountered initial setbacks but commenced operations on October 17, 2006. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority exercised contract options to finalize the entire order by June 2010. During the 2010s, several experimental upgrades were implemented; notably, 64 R160A units were outfitted with communications-based train control (CBTC) technology for use on the Canarsie Line ( service), while the remainder were equipped with CBTC systems for deployment on the Queens Boulevard Line, which serves , , , and routes.
Description
The R160 subway cars are divided into two variants: the R160A models built by Alstom (numbered 8313–8712, 9233–9802, and 9943–9974) and the R160B models constructed by Kawasaki (numbered 8713–9232 and 9803–9942). Although there are minor distinctions between these types, they are compatible for joint operation. The majority of both R160A and R160B units feature traction motors similar to those used in the R142 fleet; however, some R160B cars are equipped with motors resembling those trialed on R143 trains. Despite their visual similarity to R143 and R179 models, these three classes cannot operate together due to differences in electrical systems.
The cars are organized into either four- or five-car sets. Specifically, 372 R160A units (numbers 8313–8652 and 9943–9974) form four-car sets housed at East New York Yard for service on the BMT Eastern Division, covering the , , and lines; within this group, sets numbered 8313–8376 are also authorized to run on the line alongside R143 trains. The remaining 630 R160A vehicles along with all R160Bs operate in five-car formations based at Jamaica Yard, servicing the , , and lines.
The initial procurement of R160As was part of a $961.7 million contract partially financed through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. This base agreement included a total of 660 cars: 400 R160As supplied by Alstom and 260 R160Bs from Kawasaki. Contract options allowed for expansion up to approximately $2.4 billion to cover an estimated total of 1,700 cars, with Kawasaki responsible for producing about 40% of that figure (around 680 vehicles). On average, each R160 unit cost roughly $2 million USD.
Features
The R160 series incorporates regenerative braking technology, which recovers energy during train deceleration at stations and redistributes it to adjacent trains.
A notable advancement is the electronic FIND (Flexible Information and Notice Display) system, featuring an LCD panel that presents route information and advertisements, alongside a tri-color LED strip map that indicates the upcoming ten stations plus an additional five stops. Each car is equipped with three such displays that refresh at every station, replacing the traditional static plastic cards used in earlier models. This enables immediate updates to routing and precise stop details.
Additional Features
In 2010, a security and capacity enhancement pilot involved R160B cars numbered 8713–8722, which trialed folding seats, CCTV cameras, pivoting grab handles, and loop-style stanchions. The initiative was discontinued in 2012 due to passenger dissatisfaction and Kawasaki's refusal to conduct similar tests on R142 cars; the installed equipment was subsequently removed. Some components were repurposed during an emergency retrofit in 2017 but later experienced vandalism.
Also in 2016, a WiFi pilot was conducted on twenty R160 trainsets from Jamaica Yard. That year saw the replacement of many Arts for Transit boards with color LCD screens designed for public safety messages, advertising, and trivia content—similar to those found on R143 units but with enhanced color capabilities.
In 2018, lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic "efWING" leaf spring suspensions developed by Kawasaki were installed on R160A car 8395 and R160B car 9116 as part of an evaluation to substitute heavier coil springs.
Beginning in September 2020, select R160 cars trialed digital advertising displays akin to those installed on R188 cars 7847 and 7848; numerous units have since adopted these screens, replacing traditional paper advertisements.
From mid-2022 onward, CCTV security cameras have been deployed throughout the R160 fleet as part of the MTA’s efforts to curb subway vandalism.
Communications-based Train Control
The R160 fleet is equipped with communications-based train control (CBTC) technology. Sixty-four R160A cars (numbers 8313–8376) are outfitted with CBTC systems for operation on the Canarsie Line (L train), working alongside existing R143 units. This Siemens Transportation Systems–supplied CBTC enhances operational performance. Selected R160As (8313–8316 and 8377–8380) were temporarily withdrawn for CBTC trials on the IND Culver Line express tracks before being reinstated into service.
Furthermore, a total of 1,486 cars—including all five-car sets and many four-car sets—feature CBTC equipment tailored for the Queens Boulevard Line (, , , and trains). This CBTC system, distinct from that used on the Canarsie Line, was developed through a Siemens-Thales collaboration. The remaining four-car sets are scheduled to receive CBTC upgrades to support service on the BMT Nassau Street Line.
Manufacturing
On July 31, 2002, New York City Transit awarded Alstom a contract worth $961.7 million for 660 new subway cars, with options that could raise the total order to 1,040 units. To oversee this project and ensure compatibility with Kawasaki-built R143 cars, Kawasaki and Alstom formed a joint venture named Alskaw Inc. Kawasaki produced 260 cars and took charge of engineering efforts while supplying trucks for all vehicles. Alstom assembled 1,002 R160A cars at its Hornell, New York facility; Kawasaki assembled 660 R160B cars across Yonkers, New York, and Kobe, Japan. The car shells for Alstom’s production were fabricated in São Paulo, Brazil; Kawasaki’s shells were assembled in Lincoln, Nebraska. The initial contract called for 660 cars; first and second options added orders of 620 and 382 cars respectively.
Delivery
Alstom encountered major setbacks in production during the initial phase. The 10-car prototype train was delivered five months behind schedule in July 2005, with welding flaws detected in the shells produced at its Brazilian facility. The inaugural R160A 5-car unit arrived in November 2005 and commenced revenue operations on the A line by October 2006, following thorough testing. Meanwhile, the first R160B train was handed over in July 2005 and entered service on the N line in August 2006.
While Kawasaki largely adhered to its delivery timelines with few complications, Alstom fell behind; by September 2007, it had supplied only 80 out of the targeted 200 cars. Alstom consented to pay daily penalties for late deliveries and was engaged in negotiations to expedite production. The backlog of delayed cars was ultimately completed by April 2008.
In November 2008, the MTA exercised its option to procure an additional 140 R160B cars alongside 242 R160A units. These additional vehicles were delivered between late 2009 and May 2010. By June 2010, every R160A and R160B car was operational in revenue service.
Post-delivery incidents and refurbishments
Following Hurricane Sandy, the R160B set numbered 8738–8742 sustained damage necessitating extensive electrical repairs at Coney Island Shops. It underwent pre-service evaluations in March 2016 and was reinstated into active service by fall of that year.
Amid the 2017 New York City transit crisis, a majority of R160 trains underwent comprehensive refurbishments that included installation of LED interior lighting, application of yellow paint to looped stanchions, updated traffic flow signage, and replacement of Arts-for-Transit cards with LCD information displays. Some units also received deep cleaning. On the E line, twenty 5-car sets (totaling 100 cars) had seats removed at car ends to boost capacity; these trains were also marked by distinctive interior artwork and exterior wraps. Similarly, two 4-car sets (eight cars) on the L line were upgraded with comparable features plus folding seats and pivoting grab handles initially tested in 2010. These folding seats remain locked upright during peak hours but are occasionally subject to vandalism.
After Hurricane Ida, the R160B set numbered 9108–9112 required significant electrical reconstruction at Coney Island Shops due to damage sustained. It returned to service almost two years later on July 3, 2023.
In early 2025, a track defect led to an unusually high rate of wheel-related issues affecting R160 trains operating on the E, F, and R lines. This prompted the MTA to rearrange train assignments accordingly.