MTA considers long train cars: report

The MTA's wishlist for transit 20 years in the future may mean making separated train cars a thing of the past.

The New York Times reported yesterday that the MTA has raised the idea of introducing so-called "articulated" trains that are similar to accordion-style buses. This type of car would lack the locking doors that separate train cars and inhibit passengers from walking throughout the train.

In the MTA's needs assessment for the next 20 years, a report released earlier this month, the agency said the style of train car would "maximize carrying capacity" as well as balance "loading and unloading times at all doors" by letting passengers move to less crowded areas of the train.

An MTA spokesman told the Times that any change of train cars would undergo an extensive review.