Staten Island Railway

Staten Island Railway
The white letters SIR in a blue circle
The SIR bullet, used on the MTA's website, timetables, New York City Subway map, and some station signage
A Staten Island Railway train entering a station
A Staten Island Railway local train of R44s at the Great Kills station
Overview
OwnerStaten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (SIRTOA), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority
LocaleStaten Island, New York City
Transit typeRapid transit
Number of lines1
Number of stations21
Daily ridership19,500 (weekdays, Q4 2023)[1]
Annual ridership6,151,400 (2023)[2]
Websitenew.mta.info/agency/staten-island-railway
Operation
Began operationFebruary 1, 1860
Operator(s)New York City Transit Authority Department of Subways
Number of vehicles58 R44s (14 trains)[3]
Technical
System length14 mi (22.5 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+12 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail600 V DC
Top speed45 mph (72 km/h)

The Staten Island Railway (SIR) is a rapid transit line in the New York City borough of Staten Island. It is owned by the Staten Island Rapid Transit Operating Authority (SIRTOA), a subsidiary of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and operated by the New York City Transit Authority Department of Subways. SIR operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, providing local service between St. George and Tottenville, along the east side of the island. There is currently only one line on the island, and there is no direct rail link between the SIR and the New York City Subway system, but SIR riders do receive a free transfer to New York City Transit bus and subway lines, and the line is included on official New York City Subway maps.[4] Commuters on the railway typically use the Staten Island Ferry to reach Manhattan. The line is accessible from within the Ferry Terminal, and most of its trains are timed to connect with the ferry. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 6,151,400, or about 19,500 per weekday as of the fourth quarter of 2023.

The line has a route bullet similar to subway routes: the letters SIR in a blue circle. It is used on timetables, the MTA website, and some signage,[a] but not on trains. Like the New York City Subway, the line runs 24 hours a day every day of the year,[5] and is one of the few 24/7 mass-transit rail systems in the United States.[b] Fares are only collected at two stations, St. George and nearby Tompkinsville.

Although the railway was originally considered a standard rail line, the existing line is severed from the national rail system, and only a small portion of the former North Shore Branch still sees freight use. The passenger operations are now regulated as a rapid transit system, and exempt from certain regulations.[6] The line uses modified R44 subway cars, which are planned to be replaced by R211S cars throughout 2024.[7]

  1. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  3. ^ "The MTA Network". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  4. ^ "Subway Map" (PDF). Metropolitan Transportation Authority. September 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
  5. ^ "MTA Staten Island Railway General Information". mta.info. Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  6. ^ "No Positive Train Control for Staten Island Railway: Here's why". October 6, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
  7. ^ MTA News Conference – 6/29/2023, retrieved July 21, 2023


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