MTA settles an accessibility lawsuit

A Manhattan federal judge has approved a lawsuit settlement between the MTA and disabled riders that requires the agency to install elevators at three LIRR stations — a move that could force more future accessibility projects.

Under the Friday settlement, which was made public Monday, transit officials will be required to add elevators and other accessibility features to the LIRR’s Amityville, Copiague and Lindenhurst stations. They currently don’t meet requirements laid out by the 1990 American’s With Disabilities Act — which has been fought in court by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority for 30 years.

The construction to add the new features is required to be completed by June 2023.

“We are thrilled that these three LIRR stations will be fully functional for all riders with mobility disabilities,” said Christina BrandtYoung, an attorney for Disability Rights Advocates, which helped represent the plaintiffs in the suit. “We look forward to continuing to work with the MTA and LIRR to ensure there is accessible transportation for all individuals.”

The MTA is fighting several other lawsuits filed by disabled riders and advocates, including one filed in state court in 2017 that argues the subway’s lack of accessibility violates the anti-discrimination requirements of New York City’s Human Rights Law.

One-fourth of the city’s 472 subway stations are accessible to riders in wheelchairs — and the lawsuit aims to mandate a time line for the MTA to add ramps and elevators to the rest of them.

The agency’s 2020-24 capital plan included the addition of accessibility features at 66 more subway stations, but the bulk of those projects are on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Accessibility is a priority across the MTA, including the Long Island Rail Road, and accelerating work at the Amityville, Copiague and Lindenhurst stations pushes us several steps closer to making transportation accessible for all of our customers,” said MTA spokeswoman Meredith Daniels.