The New York subway might lead the nation in terms of reach and ridership, but it still lags behind other rail systems in the country on one critical point: access to people with special needs.
An op-ed calls on the New York MTA to use the time spent repairing the L Train in New York City to bring subway stations around Union Station—some of the most heavily used in the system—into compliance with the Americans With Disability Act (ADA).
"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority must not ignore this chance to improve accessibility," write Jennifer E. Falk, Chris Pangilinan, and Kate Slevin. The three authors of the op-ed are speaking for the Union Square Partnership, TransitCenter, and the Regional Plan Association, respectively.
The current plan for repairs to the L Train uring the shutdown falls well short of the op-ed's desired outcomes for improving ADA compliance:
The MTA’s shutdown proposal outlines enhancements to be made at the four stations located in the Union Square Partnership’s district, which covers Union Square and 14th Street between First and Sixth avenues. The First Avenue and Third Avenue stations will be closed for the duration of the work, while portions of the Union Square and Sixth Avenue stations will also be under construction to implement planned improvements. However, only one station—First Avenue—is slated to meet ADA mandates.
FULL STORY: Make Union Square's subways accessible for all
First Weekend of L Train Slowdown Could Have Been Worse
The long awaited repair work on the L Train between Brooklyn and Manhattan launched over the weekend.
Opinion: Good Public Transit Is Crowded
Embrace the crowds.
1,000 Trips on 7 Subway Lines: How NYC Plans to Make Up for Loss of the L Train
The New York City Transit Authority has announced how it will compensate for the loss of the direct connection between Brooklyn and manhattan for 15 months starting in April.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
