Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced the Accessible Transit for All Act of 2020 (ATFA), which she said would improve public transportation access.
The measure would create a new grant program under the Department of Transportation, enabling Public Transportation Agencies (PTAs) to improve accessibility to individuals with limited mobility or related impairments.
Eligible PTA projects, per authorities, include escalators, accessible ramps, and elevators instead of stairs. The grant allotments could also be used to address maintenance costs for the structures, provide technical assistance, and extend bus services to areas where accessible stations are more than a mile away.
The grant would provide up to $5 billion in funds over five years and eligible for renewal.
“Public transportation exists to provide affordable, sustainable transportation to all,” Velázquez said. “We have a collective responsibility to ensure that we work to improve accessibility in public transportation. Our city’s buses and trains are a great equalizer, and we must make them accessible to everyone. I introduced the Accessible Transit for All Act because New Yorkers should be able to ride trains or buses without worrying about having to use an inaccessible subway station on their trip.”
Presently, 25.5 million Americans with a travel-limiting disability do not have the same level of access to public transit as able-bodied individuals. The bill would promote existing programs as well as the construction of new accessibility features.