R36 Mean Distances Between Failures (MDBF)

All statistics in miles. MDBF is the average mileage a car travels between breakdown or major repairs.

1984 13,000
1985 14,000
1986 31,510
1987 30,800
1994 41,656
1997 92,253
1998 113,931
1999 194,150
2000 112,542
2001 87,024
2002 87,323
2003 95,000

Notes: Sources for 1984 and 1985 MDBFs: "Subway Car work is considered a failure", New York Times, 10 May 1985. 1986 MDBFs: Richard Levine, IRT is Most Improved, Subway Group Reports", New York Times, 1 October 1986. 1987 MDBFs: Richard Levine, "Rejuvenation of No. 8404: New Life for an Old Subway Car", New York Times, 27 April 1987. All other figures from NYCSubway.org and Straphangers Campaign.