Biden Administration Announces More Than $300 Million Available to Make Transit Stations Accessible for All

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced the availability of $343 million in Fiscal Year 2024 federal funding to make it easier for people with disabilities and mobility needs to access some of the nation’s oldest and busiest rail transit systems through essential upgrades, such as elevators. Hundreds of transit stations built before 1990, known as legacy stations, are not accessible to people with disabilities.

“Public transit ought to be reliable, safe, and accessible for anyone who wants to use it,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Through President Biden’s infrastructure package, we are proud to open applications for another round of grants so that people with disabilities or those with limited mobility can better access transit stations.”    

Funding is available through FTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), which supports upgrades to subway, commuter rail, and light rail systems in order to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides a total of $1.75 billion for the ASAP program through FY 2026. Last year, FTA announced $686 million to support projects through the ASAP program using Fiscal Year 2022 and 2023 funding. Project examples include:

• The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority received $254 million to make its Myrtle Avenue, Norwood Avenue, and Avenue I subway stations in Brooklyn and the Burnside Avenue subway station in the Bronx fully accessible. Modernization work will include installing elevators, updating platforms to reduce gaps, add tactile platform edge warning strips, modifying fare gates, stairs, and improving handrails.
   
• The Chicago Transit Authority received more than $118 million to modernize the Irving Park, Belmont, and Pulaski stations to make them fully accessible. Built more than 50 years ago, the stations will be modernized with elevators, ramp upgrades, improved station signage, and general station enhancements.
   
• The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority received $56 million to make its 11th Street subway station on the Market-Frankford Subway Line and the Chinatown, Erie, Fairmount Upper Level, Fairmount Lower Level and Snyder stations on the Broad Street Subway Line fully accessible for all passengers. Modernization work at the stations, which were built in the early 20th century, will include installing elevators, general station upgrades, ramps, and making path of travel improvements.

“Transit is the great equalizer, but for too many people in some of our nation’s largest cities, that equalizer is unavailable to them,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez. “Now, more than 30 years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is leveling the playing field by ensuring greater access for those who rely on mass transit.”

Instructions for applying and eligibility information can be found on FTA’s website and in GRANTS.GOV (FTA-2024-001-TPM-ASAP). Complete proposals must be submitted electronically through the GRANTS.GOV “APPLY” function by January 30, 2024.

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