New York, NY – On April 27, 2026 members of the Rise and Resist Elevator Action Group, Disabled in Action (DIA) and disability rights advocates held a rally outside the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) headquarters at 2 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, to demand that Governor Kathy Hochul and the MTA settle the elevator maintenance case filed and won by them 9 year ago, and commit to alert riders to breakdowns and enforce common-sense standards for safe, accessible travel.
Constant elevator breakdowns make subway travel dangerous and unpredictable for wheelchair users, caregivers with strollers, older adults, workers with deliveries and travelers with luggage.
Governor Hochul, you are responsible for MTA priorities. People who depend on subway access and working elevators are voters and taxpayers, too. It has been nine years since this lawsuit was filed. It is time to stop stalling and settle the case.
The MTA must commit to:
- Timely repair of broken elevators
- Preventative maintenance on all elevators
- Quick and accessible notifications about broken elevators
- Update automated announcements for accessible stations when elevators are being replaced
- Provide alternate transportation and in-person assistance at stations undergoing an outage
- Standards must apply to all subway elevators, including third-party owned elevators
- Settle the case!
© Erik McGregor – erikrivas@hotmail.com – 917-225-8963