FTA Announces $343 Million to Modernize Transit Stations, Improve Accessibility

FTA has announced that eight public transit systems in eight states will receive a total of $343 million to retrofit some of the oldest and busiest rail transit systems across the U.S.

This investment, created by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, has been awarded through the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP). Grant recipients will use the funding to make rail stations more accessible and in line with ADA standards by installing elevators, renovating platforms for level boarding, improving signage, and enhancing visual and audio systems.

“We are not only modernizing our nation’s infrastructure, we are doing so in a way that makes it more accessible for older Americans, people with disabilities, and all transit users,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “This initiative, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is retrofitting old rail stations with elevators, ramps, and more, to make sure that our public transportation is more accessible for millions of Americans going about their daily lives.”

“Since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, great strides have been made in improving accessibility, but there is still a lot of work to accomplish,” said FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “By modernizing rail systems across the country, the ASAP program provides funding to address these overdue improvements. We want to ensure that all customers can use transit systems with ease and reliability, including people with disabilities, those using mobility devices, and other users needing more accessible spaces.”

Selected ASAP projects include:

• The Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York City will receive $156.5 million to improve accessibility at the Wakefield-241^st Street, Kingsbridge Road, 167^th Street, 145^th Street, and 110^th Street stations.
• The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority in Ohio will receive $16 million to rehabilitate eight stations to make the entire Blue Line accessible.
• The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will receive approximately $4.7 million to construct platforms, wheelchair ramps, and make other accessibility improvements at five Muni light rail stops on the J-Church line and three Muni stops on the M-Ocean View line.

In response to a Notice of Funding of Opportunity, FTA received nearly $1.1 billion in funding requests for the $343 million available this year, demonstrating the high demand for the program.