Photo courtesy of the MTA
amNewYork, in conjunction with the MTA, present “Ask the MTA,” a column where MTA officials answer your questions about transit service in New York City. If you have a question for the MTA about subways, buses, commuter rails and more, email askthemta@amny.com.
Q: It was so cool to ride the Redbirds to Opening Day for the Mets. What’s the history of these cars? — Andrew F., Lower East Side
A: We’re so glad you enjoyed the Museum’s ride to Opening Day. There’s nothing quite like experiencing these cars in service again. The Redbirds trace their origins to 1959, with the debut of the R26, the first of nine closely related subway car types that became synonymous with New York’s transit system. Built between 1959 and 1964, nearly 2,000 of these cars ran across every numbered line and several lettered lines, making them a familiar part of daily life for generations of riders.
The cars weren’t originally red. The fleet earned the nickname “Redbirds” after being painted bright red beginning in 1984, a move intended to combat graffiti. The fleets were part of a major modernization effort to replace aging IRT equipment from the early 1900s. From the late 1950s through the early 2000s, a subway ride almost certainly meant riding a Redbird. The last one retired from regular service in 2003.
Today, several Redbirds remain in the New York Transit Museum’s vintage fleet and run on special Nostalgia Rides. — Jodi Shapiro, Curator, New York Transit Museum
Q: When will cellular service be available in all subway tunnels? — Hailey D., Greenpoint
A: Systemwide coverage is still a long-term goal, but we are working with our partners at Boldyn to expand cell connectivity as efficiently as possible. When we do work in a tunnel, we help their crews take advantage of that outage to install connectivity-enabling equipment.
Most recently, Boldyn launched AT&T service in the Joralemon St tunnel and segments of the crosstown G line. With these activations, riders who use AT&T can now take advantage of complete cellular coverage on the 4 and 5 lines between Borough Hall and Fulton St, and on the G line between Court Square and Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts. We’re planning an expansion to segments north of 59 St next. – Jamie Torres-Springer, President, MTA Construction & Development
Q: Any updates on construction at the Steinway St subway station? – Natalia V., Astoria
A: Crews are installing a new elevator at Steinway St to make the station fully accessible as part of the bundle of projects we call ADA Package 3. They’re also making structural, architectural, and electrical improvements. Major construction should wrap up by the end of the year. – Brian Liona, Project CEO, Stations Business Unit, MTA Construction & Development
