Lawmakers call on LIRR to speed up renovations for disabled riders

Lawmakers and disability rights advocates called on the MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to speed up renovations at Long Island Rail Road stations to bring them into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

News 12 Staff

Jul 17, 2019, 6:48 PM

Updated 1,976 days ago

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Lawmakers and disability rights advocates called on the MTA and Gov. Andrew Cuomo to speed up renovations at Long Island Rail Road stations to bring them into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
There are currently 19 stations across that system that are not compliant with the ADA.
Advocates are calling for added elevators and other features to allow people that are handicapped to use LIRR platforms. People in wheelchairs say they must travel to stations that are in compliance and can be quite an inconvenience.
They say that there is no excuse since the ADA was signed into law almost 30 years ago.
"It really ticks me off," says Doug King, of the Suffolk County Disability Advisory Board. "I struggled enough during my daily life."
The LIRR said in a statement to News 12: "Every LIRR station must, and will, be accessible to all. We have been working tirelessly to meet this important goal." They also say they added "Help Point" kiosks at certain locations that let passengers with disabilities call for assistance when needed.
No timetable was given for completion.