The MTA is putting its fancy new “open gangway” subway cars on the slow track.
The new cars have accordion-style connectors that allow riders to walk the train’s entire length instead of interior doors. The trains were originally intended to serve the A and C lines, but an internal MTA memo dated Jan. 19 shows the trains are prohibited from carrying passengers while running on the express A line tracks in two key stretches of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
MTA officials declined to provide further information. But after publication, Gothamist obtained a second memo, also dated Jan. 19, that provided an explanation: The design of the gangway trains “makes it impossible” for train operators to safely perform a required inspection following the activation of the emergency brakes.
MTA rules require train operators to inspect both sides of the track in the event the emergency brakes are activated. If the operator cannot safely walk both sides of the track – such as when it’s on some express tracks– he or she must climb down in between each car and take a look at the tracks.