Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ US-based subsidiary Kawasaki Rail Car (KRC) has received a $1.4bn contract to deliver 535 new-generation R211-series subway cars to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) New York City Transit.

KRC was awarded the deal following approval from the MTA board.

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Kawasaki plans to build the contracted R211 subway cars at its US facilities.

The company’s Nebraska plant will manufacture the car body structure and install the interior equipment, while final assembly and testing will be carried out at both the Lincoln Facility and the Yonkers Facility.

"The railcars will operate on MTA’s B Division and the Staten Island Railway, and are scheduled to be delivered from 2020 through to 2023."

The railcars will operate on MTA’s B Division and the Staten Island Railway, and are scheduled to be delivered from 2020 through to 2023.

Furthermore, the contract also includes an option for the supply of up to 1,077 additional cars, which would bring the total number of units to be delivered to 1,612 at the cost of $3.7bn.

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MTA plans to use the R211 cars to replace its current fleet of R46 units in order to improve the reliability of service for passengers.

The new railcars are equipped with LED lighting, digital displays and wider doors, and 20 of the first consignment of vehicles will also feature an open gangway design, which will enable passengers to move between the cars more efficiently.

MTA managing director Ronnie Hakim said: “The R211s will be a welcome addition to New York City Transit’s next-generation fleet.

“As both the R160 and R188 subway cars produced by Kawasaki have proven to be some of the most reliable in their class, we look forward to working with Kawasaki on the production of these cars.”

In addition, Kawasaki is also scheduled to deliver Series 7000 subway cars for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, M-9 cars for the Long Island Rail Road and M-8 cars for the Metro-North Commuter Railroad in the US.