The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced a major investment to improve transit station accessibility for people with disabilities and mobility needs. This action is part of President Biden's infrastructure package.
As revealed by the DOT in a recent news release, approximately $343 million will be set aside to renovate some of the nation's oldest and most frequented rail transit systems for enhanced mobility access. At present, numerous legacy stations —train stations built before 1990— are not easily accessible for individuals with disabilities.
"Public transit should be dependable, safe, and available for everyone who wishes to use it," stated U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Through President Biden's infrastructure package, we are eager to commence another grant round so that people with disabilities or those with limited mobility can more conveniently access transit stations."
The funding will be sourced from FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), which supports rehabilitations of subway, commuter rail and light rail systems in order to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards as outlined in the DOT media release.
The DOT intends to allocate $254 million to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, $118 million to the Chicago Transit Authority, and $56 million to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority for implementing these upgrades as per the press release. A significant portion of this rehabilitation project scope will involve installing elevators, updating platforms to minimize gaps, upgrading ramps, improving station signage, modifying fare gates and stairs and enhancing handrails.
"Transit serves as an essential equalizer; however, for many individuals residing in some of our largest cities, this equalizer remains inaccessible," noted FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. "Nowadays, over 30 years after the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is ensuring a more inclusive access for those who depend on mass transit."
