NYC subway authority agrees to make 95% of stations accessible under settlement

New York City’s subway system transports about 2.4 million people to and from 472 stations every day, according to the city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). It’s one of the busiest subway systems in the world, but historically, it’s historically been a difficult system for people living with a physical disability to navigate. Only about a quarter of stations have accommodations for people with modibility disabilities. That’s about to change.

The Southern District of New York and the New York Supreme Court granted final approval on Wednesday to a settlement agreement that will make the city’s subway accessible by more than 500,000 people who currently can’t use the system, according to a statement from the advocacy group Disability Rights Advocates. 

The settlement, which resolves two lawsuits brought against the MTA related to inaccessibility, is “just the right thing to do,” said New York County Supreme Court Justice Shlomo S. Hagler during an April 24 hearing. “It’s for everyone. It’s for our future and I congratulate you all.”  

Both lawsuits were brought forward by a coalition of advocacy organizations and individuals with disabilities. The first lawsuit, filed in 2017 in New York State Supreme Court, alleged violations of the New York City Human Rights Law because of the inaccessibility of the current subway system, according to the statement. The second lawsuit, filed in 2019 in federal court in the Southern District of New York, alleged that the MTA consistently renovates and rehabilitates subway stations without adding stair-free access as part of those renovations The agreement, which was granted final approval by the federal court on April and by the state court on April 24, settles both lawsuits.

“This settlement builds on decades of work by countless disability rights advocates, activists and allies, like the Rise and Resist Elevator Action Group, telling everyone at court hearings and MTA board meetings the simple truth: ‘Elevators Are For Everyone,’” said Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, an advocate who uses a wheelchair, in the statement “With this settlement, future New Yorkers and visitors—disabled and non-disabled alike—will ride one subway system together.” 

Under the agreement, the MTA will add elevators or ramps to 95% of its inaccessible stations by 2055 using 14.6% of its 5-year Capital Plan budgets. If unexpected needs arise, 8% of its Capital Plan will be used. Notably, this is the first time such a mandate has been put into place.

Under the agreement, 81 currently inaccessible stations will be made accessible by 2024, 85 more will be renovated by 2035, another 90 by 2045, and a final 90 will be completed by 2055 for a total of 346.

“Whether someone utilizes the subway to travel to work, school, medical appointments, recreational activities, or something else, this action will help ensure the subway system is more accessible for all people,” said Sharon McLennon-Wier, executive director of The Center for Independence of the Disabled, New York.