Where are the accessible subway stations?

When we think of New York City, we often picture a specific lifestyle. We imagine an early 20 something rushing from their side hustle in Brooklyn to meet a publisher in Manhattan. In our imaginations, our 20 something deftly navigates the city's subway system. They are undaunted by the gauntlet of hallways and staircases that lay between them, their train, and eventually their dream of being a published author. But reality is more complex than our imaginations. New York City is home to millions of people, each with their own needs; parents with young children in strollers, grandparents with knees that hurt to move, and many other folks that find it difficult to use stairs. New York City belongs to them just as much as our imagined 20 something. Even for them, they may be only an accident away from needing help. Unfortunately, much of the city's subway system can be difficult to impossible to navigate for many folks with mobility challenges.

Of the subway system's nearly 500 stations, only about 30% meet the accessibility standards of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA). When a new station is built, it is subject to the ADA and it is made accessible before it opens. For example, the 2nd Ave extension was accessible from its opening in 2017. However, existing stations are only upgraded when the MTA authorizes a dedicated project for each station. Years of underinvestment left large gaps in the subway network where there are no accessible stations. In 2017, a coalition of disability rights advocates sued the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) to close theses gaps. A settlement reached in 2023 requires the MTA to make 95% of existing subway stations accessible.

The settlement establishes a timeline and strategy for achieving 95% accessibility. Every five years, the MTA creates a Capital Budget for system maintenance and upgrades. At the time of the settlement, the MTA had selected 81 stations for upgrades as part of the 2020-2024 Capital Budget. They are expected to hit a new goal every 10 years: 85 more stations selected for upgrades by 2035, 90 more by 2045, and 90 more by 2055. In the chart below, we see a jump in the number of projects after the lawsuit was filed in 2017. We can also see the 81 projects in the 2020-2024 capital budget.

The MTA is required to consult in good faith with the coalition of disability rights advocates. However, they make the final decision on which stations to upgrade. When selecting stations, they consider community impact with metrics like annual ridership, the senior and disabled populations around the station, and proximity to medical centers and other facilities. They weigh these factors against time, cost, safety, and other considerations for construction. They also accept suggestions from the public at the MTA website. Looking to the 2025-2029 budget, the MTA is has set aside $7 billion to upgrade 60 stations. They have selected 44 stations, leaving 16 upgrade slots still available.

There is a bit of sticker shock first seeing how much it costs to upgrade only a fraction of the subway system. The chart below shows it is about 10% of the total 2025-2029 budget. Each upgraded station makes it easier for New Yorkers to get home.

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