NYC MTA Seeks Help Improving Station Accessibility

The NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is enlisting private developers to help upgrade accessibility in subway stations, THE CITY reported on March 17, but noted that criticSubs are pointing to mixed results in previous similar partnerships. MTA and the Department of City Planning are pushing their “Elevate Transit: Zoning for Accessibility” proposal, which would have real estate developers build and maintain elevators connecting their properties to neighborhood stations outside Manhattan. In exchange, developers are granted zoning bonuses that can include expanding a building’s floorspace. MTA Chairman Patrick Foye said public-private partnerships are an option for improving disability accessibility in a system in which only 27% of the MTA’s 493 subway and Staten Island Railway stations are currently accessible to riders who use wheelchairs or have other mobility challenges. A review of the new proposal is scheduled for April.