In recognition of the 36th anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), SEPTA announced it is committing more than $1 billion over 12 years to upgrade Metro and Regional Rail stations for accessibility. Its goal is to make more than 95% of SEPTA trips go through an accessible station, a plan that will complement the agency’s fully accessible bus network.
According to a SEPTA news release, in September, the agency will break ground on an All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP)-funded project at the 11th Street Station on the Broad Street Line, advancing accessibility to 27 of 28 L stops.
Although much of SEPTA’s infrastructure dates back to the 1920s and even earlier to the 1800s, the agency emphasizes progress toward accessibility over the last three and a half decades. During that time, SEPTA has been prioritizing accessibility enhancements within its transit network.
Agency officials note in a news release that SEPTA provides extensive accessibility resources for riders, including elevator and station status updates, service animal policy, text-based schedules, travel training, and Paratransit/SEPTA Access registration.
All SEPTA buses — about 1,400 in service — are accessible with ramps, kneeling capability, and mobility device securement.
Additionally, SEPTA’s Accessible Travel Center at Suburban Station offers one-on-one training, group visits, and virtual training in partnership with Temple University’s REACH Collective, expanding traveler education.
Recent ADA improvements include the Tasker-Morris station on the B line, Ardmore Station on the Paoli-Thorndale Line, and Wissahickon Transit Center, completed within the past year.
According to its news release, SEPTA is the first U.S. transit agency to begin an ADA station project funded by the Federal Transit Administration’s All Stations Accessibility Program at Erie Station (B line). Design work is underway on five more ASAP projects for B line stations.