Eight years ago, it was on the planning stage, the agency monitoring Bombardier on the R179s before awarding it to just anyone else. The MTA couldn't even find funding for the contract til further years later and awarded it to KRC in 2019. I really wouldn't say they waited until old subway cars felt apart, tbh. Better late than never. Otherwise, the R262s wouldn't be announced right now. (I'll give that one til the 2030s to get that one started) One major contract at a time, guys. It's just careful planning, nothing can come perfect first time around, not even us.