Local lawmakers and residents are launching a petition campaign urging the MTA to expand subway accessibility in southwest Brooklyn, where several stations remain without elevators.
Assemblyman William Colton and City Councilmember Susan Zhuang, joined by Democratic District Leaders Larry He and Joyce Xie, gathered with residents outside the Bay Parkway N train station at Bay Parkway and West Seventh Street on Sept. 14. The group is seeking elevators at key stations in Bensonhurst, Gravesend and Dyker Heights.
According to the organizers, 41 percent of Manhattan subway stations are accessible compared with 26 percent of Brooklyn stations. The MTA's current capital program calls for making at least 60 more subway stations accessible between 2025 and 2029.
“Our tax-paying residents are equally entitled to access," Colton said. "We want the MTA to be accountable. We want the MTA to take this issue seriously. And we want the MTA to start paying attention immediately. There are only a couple of stations in this area that have accessibility and that’s not enough.”
The MTA's 2025-29 capital plan includes funding to make at least 60 additional subway stations accessible and modernize elevators and escalators throughout the system. The agency says the projects are expected to bring the system to more than 50 percent accessibility and provide accessible stations for nearly 70 percent of riders.
The MTA says it is working toward making 95 percent of subway stations accessible by 2055.
The F train station at Avenue N and McDonald Avenue is among the accessibility projects identified near the southwest Brooklyn area. An elevator is also planned for the 18th Avenue D station at 85th Street through funding associated with the prior capital plan and Congestion Relief Zone program.
Organizers will continue collecting petition signatures as they press the MTA for additional accessibility improvements in the neighborhood.
