New York MTA Releases Plan for Improved Accessibility

The MTA announced plans for new or improved elevators at almost two dozen stations as part of its pledge to make more of its stations fully accessible.

1 minute read

December 7, 2022, 5:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Man walking away past glass elevator in brightly lit New York City subway station corridor

Kristi Blokhin / New York City subway station

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced plans to improve accessibility by installing or replacing elevators at 23 stations, acting on its pledge earlier this year to make 95 percent of its stations fully accessible by 2055 in the wake of multiple lawsuits.

As Audrey Wachs reports in The Architect’s Newspaper, “Varied station designs across the aging system make upgrades challenging, but advocates have long contended that the MTA can and should be doing more to improve accessibility: The city has one of the lowest percentages of accessible stations of any major transit system worldwide.”

The agency is entering into a public-private partnership, known as P3, to fund the work on eight stations. “Under the P3 model, the developer will partially finance the project, with equity repaid only if the elevators and other improvements are built and maintained to the MTA’s standards.”

As advocates repeatedly point out, “Accessible transit doesn’t just benefit people who use mobility aids: they also benefits seniors, caregivers lugging strollers—there are 553,000 young children in the city—visitors with heavy suitcases, and people who are just plain tired.” Moreover, accessibility includes more than just elevators and ramps. One lawsuit filed against the MTA calls on the agency to close the vertical and horizontal gaps that can pose a danger to people with mobility or visual impairments.

Monday, December 5, 2022 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

6 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

7 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City