The introduction of the open gangway cars on the New York City Subway has undoubtedly sparked both excitement and concern among riders and transit officials alike. Recently, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) debuted two open gangway cars on Brooklyn’s G line, marking a significant shift in the design of the city’s subway cars. These new trains, lacking traditional doorways between cars, allow passengers to move freely through the entire length of the train. 

The idea behind this innovation is to improve passenger comfort and ease overcrowding, but it has also raised questions about safety, particularly in light of ongoing concerns about crime on the subway. As the MTA plans to order 80 more of these open gangway cars, the debate over whether this design is beneficial or problematic has become louder. While I can personally appreciate the MTA’s attempts to address overcrowding and make commutes more comfortable, I find myself questioning whether this change prioritizes the right factors, especially given the current climate of safety concerns surrounding the subway. In my opinion, the focus should be less on the comfort improvements these cars offer and more on ensuring that riders feel safe when using the subway system. 

First and foremost, the idea behind the open gangway cars is a good one: reducing overcrowding and improving passenger comfort. I can see how many commuters, particularly those on shorter lines like the G line, would significantly improve the ability to move easily between cars. When a subway car is packed, the ability to walk to another car and find a more comfortable place to stand or sit could ease the anxiety of commuting. I’ve been on crowded trains myself, and it is frustrating when there’s no room to breathe or even stand without being pressed up against other people. Having the option to find a less crowded car could offer relief and a more pleasant experience, which is something the subway system desperately needs.

Despite these potential benefits, we can’t ignore the concerns surrounding safety. Honestly, these concerns are where I’m most hesitant about the open gangway design. New York City’s subway system has always been a space where safety issues are a concern, whether it is dealing with harassment, theft or more serious crimes. With open gangways, it becomes too easy for someone to move between cars without being noticed. This, in turn, could invite people to engage in inappropriate behavior, knowing that they have the ability to quickly slip from one car to another.

I personally can’t help but think that the MTA may be prioritizing comfort over safety in this instance. While I believe it is great that they’re trying to make the trains less crowded and more comfortable, I’d argue that safety should be a number one priority. In fact, according to the Gothamist, the MTA announced that they were ordering 80 more “open gangway” subway cars as part of a larger $1.3 billion order of 435 new train cars that are scheduled to be delivered by 2028. NBC New York also said, “The MTA says G-train riders will have a one-in-five chance of catching the new cars.” This also points out the fact that despite the focus on the betterment of the subway, the MTA is committing a substantial amount of money toward these new designs without fully addressing relevant issues on the subway. When the MTA is pouring such a large sum into updating the fleet, it’s hard not to feel frustrated that the primary focus is on comfort enchantments that could, at best, provide minor improvements, as the previous source mentioned how the G-train riders have a low probability of riding these new gangway cars. In my opinion, it would make sense for the MTA to focus a large portion of that $1.3 billion on increasing security measures, improving lighting and making the system generally safer.

While I can see the potential benefits of open gangway cars, I’m not convinced that they should be the top priority when safety concerns loom large. Comfort and convenience are important, but they shouldn’t overshadow the fundamental need for safety within the subway system. The MTA needs to balance these two priorities carefully, so the subway can truly serve the needs of its riders. If this balance isn’t met, the MTA may find that even the most comfortable train riders can’t make up for a lack of security.

Eduardo Mateo, FCRH ’28, is a political science major from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.