Two updated elevators have opened up at Penn Station to improve accessibility for all subway riders, the MTA announced Wednesday.
The new elevators at the 34 Street-Penn Station A, C, and E lines are now ready to use. This development aims to provide better access for individuals with disabilities, elderly passengers, and anyone traveling with bulky items.
“Penn Station is a critical transit complex for thousands of daily riders who depend on modern and reliable accessibility infrastructure,” said Jamie Torres-Springer, MTA construction and development president. “We’re proud to deliver better access to our system for both subway and Long Island Rail Road customers who travel throughout midtown Manhattan.”
As part of the overhaul, the MTA said it did a total replacement of the elevator cab and associated equipment, shaft and pit, along with two new elevator head houses at street level. Other updates aimed at improving reliability and security were made.
“Reliable elevators at 34 St-Penn Station will ensure access to transit in one of the city’s busiest neighborhoods,” added Quemeuel Arroyo, MTA chief accessibility officer. “Proactively removing elevators from service for replacement helps avoid future unplanned outages to keep riders moving.”
The MTA funded the work and other accessibility projects through its $68.4 billion capital plan for 2025-2029.
The 30th Street-Penn Station elevator work follows the Jan. 15 opening of the fully ADA-accessible Westchester Square-East Tremont Avenue station in the Bronx. The historic station, which is over 100 years old, was remodeled with three new elevators and 12 new or refurbished stairways aimed at making commuting easier.
The MTA must meet a court-approved settlement, reached in 2022, ensuring that 95% of the city’s subway stations and the Staten Island Railway are made ADA-accessible by 2055.
Other stations that were recently made fully accessible include Queensboro Plaza in Long Island City on Dec. 12 and the 14th Street Station Complex on Dec. 19.
