What Happens to Retired Subway Cars?

Beneath the Atlantic Ocean’s surface lies an unexpected transit system, not for humans, but for fish. Thousands of New York City subway cars now serve as homes for marine life. These metal carriages, which once transported millions of commuters through underground tunnels, now create thriving underwater neighborhoods for ocean dwellers.

Between 2001 and 2010, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) deployed over 2,500 retired subway cars to the ocean floor. This creative recycling initiative transformed obsolete transit vehicles into artificial reefs. The cars now rest off the coasts of New Jersey, Delaware, Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia, providing complex structures where marine ecosystems flourish.

The transformation process was meticulous. MTA workers removed all windows, doors, wheels, and any components that might decompose or float away. After thorough steam cleaning, these metal shells began their journey by barge to designated drop zones, where they were carefully placed into the water to create new habitats in areas that were once barren ocean deserts.

How Are Subway Cars Transformed into Artificial Reefs?

1. Stripping and Preparing the Subway Cars

The transition from subway to sea starts with meticulous preparation. Every subway car is stripped of materials that could harm the ocean or float away. Workers remove windows, doors, seats, wheels, electrical components, and any plastic or rubber parts. Petroleum products like grease, oil, and hydraulic fluids are completely drained. What remains is a clean, steel shell designed for underwater durability.

2. Deep Cleaning and Environmental Inspection

Once stripped, the shells undergo thorough steam cleaning to eliminate residue and contaminants. This step ensures each car complies with stringent environmental regulations. The U.S. Coast Guard or other environmental agencies inspect each car before it heads out to ensure it poses no risk to marine ecosystems.

3. Transporting to the Ocean Floor

With preparation complete, subway cars are loaded onto barges using large cranes. These barges transport the cars to pre-approved reef sites, often miles offshore. Sites are chosen based on factors such as water depth, ocean floor type, and proximity to other reefs to maximize habitat benefits for marine life.

4. Deployment and Placement as Artificial Reefs

At the deployment site, specialized crews use hydraulic lifts to lower or drop the cars into the ocean. Some cars settle upright, while others land at angles or stack atop one another, creating diverse reef structures. This unpredictability replicates natural rocky formations, providing varied shelter for marine creatures.

5. Marine Life Colonization

Within weeks of placement, marine organisms begin to colonize the new structures. Algae and microorganisms coat the metal surfaces, followed by barnacles and mussels, creating a food-rich environment that attracts a variety of invertebrates and fish. Studies show these reefs can support hundreds of species and produce significantly more food per square foot than the bare ocean floor.

[[artifact_table]] Environmental Impact of Subway Car Reefs on Marine Habitats [[/artifact_table]]

Why Are Subway Cars Effective Artificial Reefs?

Subway cars offer a unique combination of structure, material, and durability that make them exceptionally well-suited for use as artificial reefs. Unlike many traditional reef-building materials, subway cars are constructed from robust steel that can withstand the harsh underwater environment for decades. Their large, open interiors and numerous entry points create a labyrinth of spaces for marine species to explore, shelter, and breed. This complexity is essential for attracting a wide diversity of marine life, from small invertebrates to larger predatory fish.

Another advantage is the size and shape of each subway car. When placed on the ocean floor, the cars provide substantial vertical relief and surface area—key elements for promoting the rapid colonization of algae, barnacles, mussels, and coral. These organisms form the foundation of a thriving food web, supporting a healthy ecosystem. The modular design of subway cars also allows them to be grouped together, creating expansive reef “complexes” that mimic natural rocky outcrops or shipwrecks, preferred habitats for many marine species.

Environmental safety is another important factor. The cars are thoroughly cleaned and stripped of all hazardous materials before deployment, presenting minimal risk to the marine environment. Studies show that subway car reefs not only support higher biodiversity but also enhance local fisheries, benefiting commercial and recreational anglers alike. Over time, these artificial reefs become nearly indistinguishable from natural habitats, demonstrating how innovative recycling can deliver both ecological and economic rewards.

What Other Ways Are Retired Subway Cars Repurposed?

Museums and Educational Spaces

Retired subway cars often gain a new lease on life in museums, serving as educational exhibits. For example, the Western Railway Museum in California utilizes decommissioned BART cars to highlight the evolution of transit systems. These vehicles function as immersive, interactive displays that educate visitors about the history of public transportation.

Restaurants, Cafés, and Entertainment Venues

Some subway cars are transformed into distinctive hospitality spaces. In the Bay Area, Arthur Mac’s Tap & Snack plans to turn a BART car into a combined pizza restaurant and retro arcade. Other concepts, like the Oakland Athletics’ “Coliseum BAR(T),” merge museum exhibits and beer gardens within repurposed cars, celebrating local culture and transit history.

Community and Multi-Use Spaces

Entrepreneurs and organizations reimagine subway cars as community hubs. The “BARTbar” in Washington D.C. doubles as a co-working space by day and a bar at night. In Hong Kong, the Wan Chai harbourfront features a public “Harbour Station” made from subway cars, providing gathering spaces and viewing platforms for the community.

Training, Emergency Response, and Residential Uses

Subway cars have practical applications beyond public venues. Some are used as training facilities by fire departments and emergency response teams. Others become short-term rentals or private homes, such as the Centennial Inn in Montana, which offers guests a stay inside a vintage parlor car equipped with modern amenities.

Challenges and Considerations

Repurposing subway cars comes with challenges. The process demands significant investment—typically $8,000 to $15,000 per car—for transportation, installation, and permits. Their size and specialized construction present storage and maintenance difficulties. Organizations must also develop end-of-life plans for these structures. Despite these hurdles, creative repurposing continues to give these iconic vehicles meaningful new purposes.

What Are the Long-Term Benefits and Challenges of Subway Car Reef Projects?

Using subway cars as artificial reefs has produced numerous long-term benefits for marine environments and coastal communities. A significant advantage is the increase in marine biodiversity. Monitoring has revealed that subway car reefs attract a wide array of fish, shellfish, and invertebrates, helping to replenish depleted populations and support sustainable fisheries. These reefs also attract recreational divers, anglers, and eco-tourists, creating opportunities for local businesses and contributing to coastal economies.

Environmentally, subway car reefs help reduce pressure on natural reef systems by offering alternative habitats for species affected by overfishing or habitat loss. The stability and longevity of steel subway cars mean these structures can continue providing ecological value for decades, with minimal maintenance. Additionally, using retired transit vehicles in reef-building supports sustainability goals by diverting tons of metal from landfills and reducing the need for new raw materials.

However, the long-term success of subway car reef projects relies on ongoing management and environmental oversight. Regular inspections ensure that the reef structures remain stable and free of debris that could pose hazards to marine life or navigation. While most subway car reefs have proven safe and beneficial, challenges such as corrosion, storm damage, or changes in local ecosystems can arise over time. Collaborative efforts between government agencies, marine scientists, and recycling partners are essential for maximizing the ecological and economic benefits of these innovative projects, while also addressing any emerging concerns.

Conclusion: The Afterlife of Subway Cars

From artificial reefs teeming with marine life to innovative community spaces, retired subway cars have found remarkable second lives beyond their original purpose. These creative repurposing efforts showcase the potential for sustainability in urban transit systems. The transformation of subway cars into underwater habitats has created thriving ecosystems along the Atlantic coast. Meanwhile, on land, these iconic vehicles have become museums, restaurants, training facilities, and even residential spaces.

The varied afterlives of subway cars demonstrate how urban waste can turn into valuable resources with imagination and a commitment to sustainability. As cities worldwide update their transportation fleets, lessons from these repurposing projects can inspire fresh approaches to recycling and waste reduction. For all your industrial recycling needs, contact Okon Recycling at 214-717-4083.