The most numerous subway cars in New York City's massive transit fleet

Cultures · Published 11 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Since entering service between 2006 and 2010, the R160 class has become the most numerous subway car in the New York City subway system. From digital displays to regenerative braking, these cars represent a major technological shift in how the city moves.

The R160 class consists of 1,662 cars divided into two models: the Alstom-built R160A and the Kawasaki-built R160B. While they can interoperate, they differ in configuration and propulsion. The R160A includes 372 cars in four-car sets and 630 cars in five-car sets, while all 660 R160B cars are organized into five-car sets. Most R160Bs use the Alstom ONIX propulsion system, though a specific subset (cars 8843–9102) utilizes Siemens propulsion.

A defining feature of the R160 is the Flexible Information and Notice Display (FIND) system. This replaced the static plastic route cards and amber LED dot indicators used on older models like the R142. Each car features three LCD screens displaying routes, advertisements, and a tri-color LED strip map showing the next ten stations plus five consecutive future stops. This allows for rapid updates to route information and station lists.

The fleet's rollout was marked by varying success. Kawasaki delivered the R160B cars with little difficulty, starting service on August 17, 2006. Conversely, Alstom faced significant production delays and welding defects in car shells manufactured in Lapa, Brazil. By early 2008, Alstom was seven months behind schedule on its 200-car delivery target, eventually resulting in the full fleet being in service by June 2010.

Technological experimentation has continued throughout the fleet's lifespan. In 2018, Kawasaki tested carbon fiber reinforced plastic 'efWING' leaf springs on R160A car 8395 and R160B car 9116 to see if they could replace heavier coil springs. The fleet also utilizes regenerative braking, which captures energy during braking to transfer it to nearby trains on adjacent tracks.

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