A series of renovations to the NYC subway system may make it more wheelchair accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The MTA subway system has been under fire over the past few months due to its ever failing infrastructure, constantly delayed trains, and high rates of congestion. Not only that, but according to the Federal Transit Administration, the New York City subway also has the lowest rate of wheelchair accessibility of any major transport system nation wide.
Despite years of lawsuits through the Americans with Disabilities Act, the MTA has made very few changes to the accessibility of the system. According to news sources, the MTA will spend 83 million dollars fixing the crumbling metal and platforms but of that money, not one dollar will be spent on accessibility. For example, the closure of the 110th Street station this week has constituents up in arms due to what has been criticized as a focus on “aesthetic repairs” instead of bringing the station up to proper sanctions with the ADA.
As of now, only one fourth of city subway entrances are wheelchair accessible and the city’s plan to meet the Federal goal of 100 fully accessible stops by 2020 is far from complete with only 13 of those stations underway.
Featured image: metouhey.com