Landmark Settlement to Make 95% of New York City Subways Accessible by 2055
Americas, Transportation, June 25 2022
Only 25%, or 113, of New York City’s 472 subway stations are currently accessible to individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the stairs.
But by 2055, at least 95% of those 364 inaccessible subway stations will become accessible following a landmark settlement agreement between disability advocates and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
The MTA has committed to dedicating 14.69% of each of its five-year Capital Plan budgets to station accessibility – baring any unexpected critical needs. However, should unexpected needs arise, the MTA is still committing to no less than 8% of its total Capital Plan monies for subway station accessibility.
Part of the commitment includes making 81 subway stations accessible through the 2020 to 2024 Capital Plan.
By 2035, an additional 85 stations will be accessible; by 2025 an additional 90 stations will be accessible and the remaining 90 stations will be accessible by 2055, according to the agreement.
“It is my pleasure as an advocate for accessibility, after decades of advocacy and hard work by disability-related stakeholders, to celebrate the commitment [...]