Kawasaki’s R268 cars for New York City Transit will run on the “B” division and be designed with specs similar to its R211 cars (pictured). (MTA Photograph)
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board has approved the purchase of 378 new Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc.-built R268 rapid transit cars for New York City Transit (NYCT), which will run on the “B” (lettered) division and be designed with specs similar to the those for the R211 cars, according to MTA.
MTA on Oct. 31 said that the $1.507 billion contract will be funded by its $68 billion 2025-2029 Capital Plan.
Kawasaki will start delivering the R268s in fall 2028 and wrap up by 2030. MTA said this will allow it to retire the last R68 and R68A cars, which entered service in the mid-1980s and currently serve the B, N, D, Q, W, and S(f) lines, and to transition the “B” division to “an all modern-technology fleet, with all cars capable of delivering CBTC [communications-based train control] service.” The new cars will feature pre-installed security cameras in every car, more accessible seating, brighter lights and clearer signage, the agency said.
“This purchase allows us to replace cars at the end of their useful life before they start breaking down,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said. “And by building on the successful procurement of R211 railcars, we were able to save money on nearly 400 modern subway cars.” 
The first trainset of Kawasaki-built R211A/S (traditional closed-end) cars to operate on the B Line entered service in July. They are now operating in all five boroughs. The R211s feature 58-inch-wide door openings that are eight inches wider than standard door openings on existing cars, which MTA has said will help speed boarding and reduce the amount of time trains sit in stations. These models include security cameras, additional accessible seating, digital displays that will provide more detailed station-specific information, and brighter lighting and signage, among other features that are said to improve the rider experience.  Open-gangway cars (R211T) began operating on the G line in March and the C line in February 2024.
In January 2018, the MTA awarded a contract to Kawasaki to design, build, and deliver 535 rapid transit cars, comprising 440 R211As and 20 R211Ts for NYCT, and 75 R211S cars for Staten Island Railway that are in operation. The contract included two options: Option 1 for 640 cars, and Option 2, for 333-437 cars. In October 2022, the agency exercised Option 1 for 640 R211s for $1.78 billion. MTA in December 2024 exercised Option 2 for 435 additional R211s—355 R211A/S cars and 80 R211T cars. The option, valued at $1.27 billion, brought the total number of R211s ordered to 1,610. MTA began phasing into service the first two R211T trainsets in 2024.
“The R268 contract will not only secure employment for hundreds of workers in our Yonkers facility, but also delivers state-of-the-art, high-quality subway cars to NYC riders, “ Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. President Yusuke Hirose said. “With this milestone, we will surpass over 4,000 cars produced for New York City Transit—and we’re excited to continue building for the city’s future.”
Separately, MTA on June 23 announced that its Finance Committee approved the purchase of 316 Alstom Transportation-built M-9As. This included 160 cars for Long Island Rail Road and 156 for Metro-North Railroad.
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