Disability Activists Sue New York MTA

Two class action lawsuits take New York’s inaccessible metro system to task.

2 minute read

May 1, 2017, 1:00 PM PDT

By Elana Eden


Wheelchair Accessible

Allen.G / Shutterstock

According to state and federal lawsuits filed April 20, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority's lack of elevators and poor maintenance practices constitute discrimination against people with disabilities.

"More than 75 percent of the city’s 472 subway stations have no elevators, lifts or other alternatives to stairs," giving the MTA the lowest accessibility rate of the 10 largest transit systems in the country, according to the New York Times.

The plaintiffs, represented by Disability Rights Advocates, want the court to require the MTA to change the way it deals with elevator maintenance and to develop a long-term plan to improve the system's accessibility.

In March, the Times ran a feature on how the state of the subway system impacts disabled residents, sometimes shutting them out of public life. One plaintiff who uses a wheelchair said, "Because of the lack of elevators, my disability really comes to the forefront in terms of what activities I can engage in, in the city."

He takes a different subway line uptown after work in order to catch another line back to Brooklyn to reach a station with an elevator for southbound commuters. He said he regularly cancels social engagements if he finds there is no viable way to travel to a station with a working elevator. And he has counted more than 200 elevator failures in the last two and a half years — about one for every eight trips he takes, he said.

An MTA spokesperson said the agency is spending $1 billion to bring 25 more stations into compliance with the ADA, and estimated it would take $10 billion to complete the rest.

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 in New York Times

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

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

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.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

"Stage 4" soundstage wall seen through ornate metal gate at Paramount Studios lot in Los Angeles, California.

Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA

Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.

3 hours ago - California Planning & Development Report

Two young women roller skating in a park on a sunny day.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls

Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

4 hours ago - Next City

Ohio State Senate building nwith modern downtown Columbus skyscrapers in background.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund

The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.

5 hours ago - Ohio Capital Journal