Personalized Elevator and Escalator Alerts Now Available Via MTA Service Alerts
Real Time Elevator and Escalator Status Available Via MTA App
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is celebrating Disability Pride Month with new customer service tools to better keep customers up to date on the latest status of elevators and escalators throughout the subway system. The new MTA Service Alerts system now includes real-time alerts for elevators and escalators in subway stations and customers can also see real-time status of elevators and escalators on the new MTA app.
“The MTA is committed to expanding accessibility across the transit system and we're delivering on that promise with a surge of projects to make stations ADA accessible and – now – upgraded communication targeted at riders with disabilities,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Having real-time information about the status of elevators and escalators will be a huge improvement.”
“Disability Pride Month is a time for the MTA to recognize customers with accessibility needs and ensure they have effective tools to navigate the system,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “Regular alerts that provide riders with real-time information specific to their trips help ensure riders can traverse the transit system efficiently.”
"I'm very proud of these new tools that enhance the travel experience and service reliability for our many customers with access needs," said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo. "Navigating the city independently has been a goal of the disability community for decades and we celebrate every step we take towards making that a reality."
Customers can sign up for personalized updates on the status of service for specific elevators and escalators at subway stations and customize their alerts for the days, times and stations that is best for their journey. Customers can also select whether they would like to receive these alerts via SMS or email. MTA Service Alerts was developed to provide customers with timely, personalized updates on service impacting commuter rail, Bridge and Tunnel crossings, subway, and bus commutes including delays, reroutes, cancellations, and road conditions.
Customers with existing MTA Service Alerts accounts can add elevators and escalators to their current alerts. Customers without accounts can sign up for one here.
Customers can view the real-time service status of elevators and escalators by downloading the MTA app. App users can also plan their accessible trips through the app by marking it as an “accessible trip” when inputting “trip preferences” under the plan trip screen.
MY AAR App
Access-A-Ride (AAR) is continuing to break ridership records as customers are increasingly utilizing new and improved tools when booking trips. The accessible MY AAR app adoption continues to rise with more than 5,000 trips booked on MY AAR on most weekdays, accounting for 15% of AAR trips and rising. Since 2020, the MTA has enhanced the booking app, digitized the taxi reimbursement process, and launched a pilot for OMNY for Access-A-Ride, which will give paratransit customers their first opportunity to travel without carrying cash.
Subway Station Accessible Wayfinding Features
Last summer, the MTA announced new wayfinding features for customers with disabilities coming to multiple subway stations in Manhattan in partnership with State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal. These new features have now been installed at 11 subway stations and will be installed at the final station of the pilot this month. This project has also received federal funding through the Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) grant program to further expand the pilot to the entire line and Bx12/Bx12 SBS bus routes.
The features include floor decals on subway platforms that indicate accessible boarding areas, as well as features for customers with visual disabilities including tactile subway line maps and NaviLens wayfinding signage. NaviLens is an app that uses unique codes to provide audio and visual wayfinding guidance and arrival status information, in upwards of 40 languages.
Stations with new wayfinding features include:
- Houston St
- Christopher St-Stonewall
- 14 St
- 8 Av
- 18 St
- 23 St
- 23 St
- 28 St
- 50 St
- 66 St Lincoln Center
- 72 St
Installing Elevators
This year, the MTA has celebrated the completion of accessibility upgrades at four stations: Beach 67 St , Tremont Metropolitan Av and Lorimer St stations. Work is underway at 38 additional subway stations throughout the city.
The MTA also recently announced the completion of upgrades at three Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) stations, making 113 out of 126 stations accessible. Copiague, Amityville and Lindenhurst stations are now fully ADA accessible. Massapequa Park, St. Albans, Laurelton, Locust Manor, Valley Stream (escalator replacement & elevator replacement) and Auburndale (elevator replacement) stations will also be made fully accessible through federal formula funds which includes funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Metro-North has also opened new elevators at three stations this year alone, making Purdy’s Station, Hartsdale Station and Scarsdale Station fully accessible. In the current Capital Plan, new elevators are coming to Woodlawn Station and Williams Bridge Station. Additionally, station elevators will soon be upgraded at Botanical Garden.