Straight to the Top: New Nonstop Elevators to Speed Subway Accessibility Coverage
The MTA is ramping up installations of elevators that will move riders directly between streets and platforms — skipping mezzanine levels altogether.
First Stop: Woodhaven Boulevard
The elevated Woodhaven Boulevard station on the J/Z lines in Queens last month became the first stop where elevators bypass mezzanines to link riders directly with subway service in both directions.
Efficiency and Savings
The shift is designed to save the transit agency hundreds of millions of dollars in elevator installation and upkeep while also advancing toward a federal court-mandated goal of making 95% of stations accessible to people with disabilities by 2055.
More Direct-to-Platform Projects in the Works
Officials said that 19 more direct-to-platform projects are presently in the works, including 46th Street-Bliss Street along the No. 7 line in Queens and Church Avenue (B/Q) and 36th Street (D/N/R) in Brooklyn.
What It Means for Riders
Sasha Blair-Goldensohn, a wheelchair user and disability rights advocate who commutes by subway, said the multi-tiered layout can be especially tricky for riders with limited mobility if an elevator on the mezzanine level goes out of service. He noted the direct-to-platform route would likely save time.
Collaboration with DOT
The MTA’s new approach requires cooperation from the city Department of Transportation, which must approve projects on DOT space. "Since many of these projects are on sidewalks or other DOT property, we have reviewed more than 70 elevator installations in recent years, taking a comprehensive look to make sure our surrounding street network accommodates these critical upgrades," a DOT spokesperson said.
Advocacy Group’s Perspective
Jessica Murray, of the Rise and Resist Elevator Action Group, an advocacy organization that frequently criticizes the MTA on accessibility issues, said the changes could be "huge" for the subway system and riders with disabilities who may encounter out-of-service lifts.
Current State of Accessibility
Currently, 150 stations, or about 32% of the 472 systemwide, are fully accessible — up from less than 25% in 2019. The MTA credits the increase, in part, to the agency placing a greater emphasis on accessibility throughout the 114-year-old system and being able to do more elevator projects as ridership plummeted during the pandemic.
Future Plans
The MTA’s nearly $55 billion 2020-2024 capital plan for systemwide improvements includes more than $5 billion toward making 68 stations fully accessible. Of those, 23 are supposed to have accessibility upgrades paid for by the congestion pricing vehicle-tolling initiative that launched January 5.
Conclusion
The MTA’s new approach to elevators is a step in the right direction, providing easier access to the subway system for people with disabilities. With more direct-to-platform projects in the works, the agency is on track to meet its goal of making 95% of stations accessible by 2055.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many direct-to-platform projects are in the works?
A: 19 more direct-to-platform projects are presently in the works.
Q: What is the goal of the MTA’s accessibility efforts?
A: To make 95% of stations accessible to people with disabilities by 2055.
Q: How much will the MTA save with the new approach?
A: The shift is designed to save the transit agency hundreds of millions of dollars in elevator installation and upkeep.
