Dive Brief:
- The Federal Transit Administration announced Tuesday that $343 million in competitive grants will be available in fiscal year 2022 under the All Stations Accessibility Program, which can fund projects on subway, commuter rail or light rail systems to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities.
- The grants are available to state and local governments and are part of the $1.75 billion accessibility discretionary grant program created under the bipartisan infrastructure law. Applicants have until Sept. 30 to apply.
- The grants are only available for stations built or under construction prior to the passage of the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, and that have not already been made accessible.
Dive Insight:
More than 900 transit stations are not fully accessible today, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. "While our country has made enormous progress in the three decades since passing the Americans with Disabilities Act, too many people with disabilities still don't have access to reliable public transportation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a press release.
The All Stations Accessibility Program provides funding for transit agencies to repair, improve, modify, retrofit, or relocate the infrastructure of stations or facilities for passenger use. Planning activities by transit agencies seeking to improve accessibility also qualify for ASAP funds.
While the program covers public transit stations, Amtrak stations are not eligible. The railroad agreed to a $2.25 million settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in 2020 stemming from a disability discrimination lawsuit. In a November 2021 report, Amtrak said it had addressed its ADA responsibility at 154 stations out of 387. The railroad provides accessible travel information on its website.
