Station accessibility projects

We're committed to increasing accessibility throughout our transit system. The MTA's 2020-2024 Capital Program has dedicated a historic $5.2 billion to making stations newly accessible and almost $600 million to upgrading elevators to improve reliability.

We will use these funds to make some subway stations newly accessible, while other stations will receive new elevators and other improvements to enhance reliability and safety. When the work is finished, subway riders will never be more than two stops away from an accessible station. 

We have recently begun to make accessibility upgrades at 21 stations across the five boroughs. We also recently completed elevator replacement projects at eight stations, with additional work ongoing around the system.

Some of these improvements will be completed through the Rapid Station Accessibility Upgrade program. We'll work with a private partner who will be responsible for completing the work more quickly and at a lower cost. They will also be required to maintain the elevators for 15 years. 

Finally, the 57 St ​ station will be made accessible through our Zoning for Accessibility program, a partnership with New York City and private developers. 

Additionally, in 2022, the MTA and accessibility advocates announced an agreement that reaffirms the MTA’s commitment to systemwide accessibility and provides a clear path and timeline to get there. The systemwide accessibility plan builds on the unprecedented investments in the current Capital Plan, and will bring us to a system that is 95% accessible by 2055.

In an effort to maximize the benefits of our investments, the MTA makes strategic decisions about which stations to prioritize for accessibility improvements in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and in consultation with riders and advocates. 

In addition to adding new elevators, the current Capital Program includes the replacement and modernization of over 50 elevators across our system to keep them running smoothly.

Regular elevator replacements are crucial to keep our system running effectively and efficiently. Replacing elevators now means less repair needed later. That’s why we’re investing in this Capital Program to replace and modernize more than 50 elevators across our system.