MTA and Columbia University Enter Public-Private Partnership to Improve Station Accessibility

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) and Columbia University are working to improve accessibility of the 125 St 1 subway station, adjacent to Columbia’s Manhattanville campus. The project will be designed and constructed by NYMTA, with $33 million in funding from Columbia University through a public-private partnership. 

The project involves installing three elevators, widening escalators, and making other state of good repair upgrades throughout the station. The 121-year-old station serves 6,500 riders daily. Improved accessibility means that seniors, people with disabilities, parents with strollers, and others will be better able to access public transportation to connect to jobs, services, and community. 

“The MTA is using all possible avenues to reach our accessibility goals,” said NYMTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. “This partnership with Columbia University will improve accessibility and enhance the customer experience for both students and Harlemites like me who live here and will now have access to this station.” 

Last year alone, NYMTA replaced 41 elevators and made 10 new stations ADA accessible. Since 2020, the agency made 57 stations ADA accessible. The agency’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan includes making 60 stations ADA-accessible and replacing 45 subway stations to ensure that nearly 70 percent of all subway rides will take place to or from accessible stations.