Amtrak is investing USD 155 million in Fiscal Year 2024 in station accessibility upgrades and improvement projects across the National Network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities as part of the company’s program to achieve compliance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA).
Amtrak marks the anniversary of the landmark ADA, signed into law on July 26, 1990, by highlighting the company’s robust accessibility program and integrated approach to improve the travel experience – from trip planning, to purchasing tickets and the experience at stations, to equipment and on-board services.
“Investing to improve accessibility is a core responsibility for Amtrak and key priority for the entire company,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said. “The execution of all the work on assets and at stations depends on the strong collaboration and shared commitment from many, from the community, national disability organizations, leaders in Congress, the Department of Transportation, local governments, freight railroads, and other partners. We thank these partners and stakeholders for their help, guidance, and advocacy.”
Amtrak is advancing projects in the following areas:
Stations
- Amtrak brought 17 stations into ADA compliance this year by improving elements including parking lots, station buildings and platforms.
- A total of 43 station accessibility improvement construction projects are in progress and 144 design projects are underway.
- Amtrak designed and deployed assistive boarding equipment, including bridge plates and ramps, to help customers with reduced mobility board and depart from the train.
- Passenger Information Display Systems (PIDS), audio and visual train status and boarding information, are now available at 87 stations, up from 76 a year ago.
- Induction hearing loops, an assistive listening system that sends clear sound directly to a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant, are now available at ticket counters at 85 stations.
Equipment
- Amtrak’s new Acela trains, now in testing and in service soon, will:
- Offer enhancements for passengers with spacious accessible restrooms with 60-inch clear turning space, touchless features, and ample grab bars for stability; accessible Café cars; and Braille seat numbers.
- The new trains will offer customers an improved Public Address Customer Information System (PACIS), which will provide real-time information such as location, train speed and conductor announcements in both audio and visual formats.
- Amtrak’s new Airo trains will offer spacious accessible restrooms, vestibules, and Cafe cars.
- Accessibility improvements across all fleets include adding handrails to Superliner accessible bedrooms, folding tray tables at accessible seating areas, slip-resistant vestibule flooring, and compliant service counters in Café Cars.
Amtrak’s Americans with Disabilities Act Stations Program is delivering accessibility-related station improvement projects to ensure customers with disabilities can successfully navigate the rail network. Amtrak estimates completion of another 39 stations for this fiscal year at a forecasted investment of USD 140 million. To date Amtrak has invested more than USD 880 million since 2011 dedicated to advancing accessibility at all levels.
The federal funds provided by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) have allowed Amtrak to make accessibility improvements at 40 stations in 19 states, to date. IIJA continues to fund a comprehensive improvement program to ensure a safe, efficient and comfortable travel experience with a focus on accessibility and inclusion at Amtrak.
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