[1] The R33s were replaced in the early 2000s with the delivery of the R142 and R142A cars, with the last train running on April 20, 2003.

After being retired, most R33s were sunk into the ocean as artificial reefs, but several cars have survived.

[1] In 1985, GE cars 8842–8843, 8846–8847, 8848–8849, 8856–8857, 8860–8861, and 8862–8863 were repainted dark green with black front bonnets and anti-climbers, and a silver roof.

Finally, between 1986 and 1988, the R33s were repainted into the Redbird paint scheme, with a deep maroon red body, black front bonnets and anti-climbers, and a silver roof.

In 1996, New York City Transit announced that it would begin phasing out all Redbirds with the arrival of the R142s and R142As, which entered service in 2000.

[6] Most of the retired cars were stripped and dumped into the Atlantic Ocean to form artificial reefs.

The car was retrofitted with swinging doors and converted to a tourist center, but was closed in 2015 due to low patronage.