MTA Launches $11 Billion R262 Subway Car RFP New York

Q: What are the main new features of the R262 subway cars?

The most significant new feature will be the open gangway design, allowing passengers to move between cars. This configuration aims to increase overall capacity and improve passenger distribution.

Q: Which subway lines will receive the new cars first?

The base order of 1,140 cars is designated to replace existing fleets on the 1, 3, and 6 lines. An option for 1,250 additional cars would deploy them to replace fleets on the 2, 4, and 5 lines.

Q: Have any manufacturers been selected to build the cars?

No manufacturers have been selected yet. The MTA has issued a Request for Proposals, and a contract award is not expected until early 2028.

MTA launched an $11 billion RFP for up to 2,390 R262 subway cars for New York, with award by early 2028.

MTA Launches $11 Billion R262 Subway Car RFP New York

March 24, 2026 11:31 am | Last Update: March 24, 2026 11:32 am

⚡ In Brief: New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has issued an RFP for its largest-ever procurement of up to 2,390 new R262 subway cars, valued at approximately $11 billion, to modernize fleets on its numbered lines, with contract award expected by early 2028.

NEW YORK, USA – The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has formally issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its largest subway car procurement in agency history. The tender covers a base order of 1,140 cars and an option for 1,250 more, totaling 2,390 new units. Proposals from manufacturers are due by September 8, with the MTA anticipating a contract award in early 2028.

What Does This Contract Cover?

This procurement is for the new R262 subway car model, which will feature an open gangway design to increase passenger capacity and improve onboard circulation. The base order of 1,140 cars is designated to replace the R62 and R62A fleets currently serving the 1, 3, and 6 lines. A contract option for an additional 1,250 cars would replace the R142 and R142A fleets on the 2, 4, and 5 lines, bringing the full potential order to 2,390 cars, or 36.4% of the entire NYCT fleet.

Key Contract Data

Parameter	Value
Contract Name	R262 Subway Car Procurement
Total Value	Approx. $11 billion (for full order)
Parties Involved	Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) / New York City Transit (NYCT); Bidders not disclosed
Timeline / Completion	RFP due Sept. 8; Contract award expected early 2028. Delivery schedule not disclosed.
Country / Corridor	USA / New York City Subway (Lines 1, 3, 6, with options for 2, 4, 5)

How Does This Compare to Similar Contracts?

The MTA’s potential $11 billion rolling stock order represents one of the largest single procurements in the North American rail market, far exceeding the value of typical infrastructure service contracts. For scale comparison, recent contracts awarded for design and engineering services are orders of magnitude smaller. Amey’s recent appointment to the UK’s Network Rail Development and Design Partnership Framework is for professional services, not manufacturing (Source: RailUK). Similarly, a contract for Monarch Surveyors and Engineering Consultants in India for structural design services was valued at approximately $900,000, underscoring the significant capital investment required for large-scale fleet manufacturing (Source: EquityBulls).

Editor’s Analysis

This massive fleet renewal initiative highlights a strategic imperative among major US transit authorities to modernize aging assets and enhance passenger experience, even amid financial headwinds. The R262 procurement aligns with a wider North American trend of significant capital investment in urban rail, evident in projects like Los Angeles Metro’s K Line extension and Seattle’s Sound Transit expansion efforts (Source: LA Times, KOMO News). The MTA’s specification of an open gangway design also signals a commitment to adopting global standards for increasing network capacity, a feature long proven effective in European and Asian metro systems.

FAQ

Q: What are the main new features of the R262 subway cars?
A: The most significant new feature of the R262 fleet will be the open gangway design, which allows passengers to move between cars. This configuration is designed to increase overall capacity, improve passenger distribution during crowded periods, and enhance security visibility.

Q: Which subway lines will receive the new cars first?
A: The base order of 1,140 cars is designated to replace the existing fleets on the 1, 3, and 6 lines. If the MTA exercises its option for the additional 1,250 cars, they would be deployed to replace fleets on the 2, 4, and 5 lines.

Q: Have any manufacturers been selected to build the cars?
A: No manufacturers have been selected. The MTA has issued a Request for Proposals to the market, and a contract is not expected to be awarded until early 2028 following evaluation of the submitted bids.