The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey announced it had reached a settlement with New Jersey Transit Corporation (NJ Transit) over allegations it failed to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
According to U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, as part of the ADA, NJ Transit is required to provide accessible public transit to those with disabilities, including a paratransit system comparable to transportation services provided to those without disabilities. While NJ Transit operates a paratransit system – Access Link – Sellinger’s office said the service’s capacity constraints limit the availability of transit services to ADA paratransit eligible people, subjecting paratransit service users to excessively long trips, late pickups, late drop-offs, and excessive telephone hold times.
“Without equal access to public transportation, people with disabilities are deprived the opportunity to engage in society on an equal basis,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. “This agreement removes discriminatory barriers by ensuring that thousands of Americans with disabilities have equal access to public transportation throughout New Jersey.”
As part of the agreement, NJ Transit will make five intercity rail stations – Newark Penn Station, Princeton Junction Train Station, MetroPark Train Station, Trenton Train Station, and New Brunswick Train Station – ADA accessible and will modify multiple portions of the rail stations and their access points, including physical modifications to multiple platforms, waiting areas, parking lots and restrooms.
Earlier in 2022, Sellinger created a Civil Rights Division within his office to enforce federal civil rights laws, including the ADA. The case against NJ Transit was prosecuted by this newly formed division.