Assembly Member Karines Reyes & Senator Luis Sepúlveda Joint Statement on Parkchester Station’s Inclusion in the MTA’s 2020-2024 Capital Plan Proposal

Bronx, NY — Today, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) announced the first 48 New York City Transit stations that will be made fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) under the proposed 2020-2024 Capital Plan. According to the announcement the Bronx will see six stations included in the $5.2 billion project to make upgrades for accessibility, including the Parkchester 6 Train station.

Assembly Member Karines Reyes and State Senator Luis Sepúlveda joined forces to put pressure on the Authority and the Governor’s office to add Parkchester, the third busiest Bronx station, to the Capital Plan. Senator Sepúlveda, Reyes' predecessor in the Assembly, began advocating for the elevator while serving in the lower house between 2012 and 2018. To continue the Senator's efforts, Assembly Member Reyes began circulating a petition for the elevator to be funded in the Capital Plan during the summer of 2019. The petition amassed nearly 1000 signatures from Parkchester residents. The government officials’ coordinated effort yielded a victory in the first step in the quest for equal access for all Bronxites along the 6-train route.

"The Parkchester community has waited a long time for our subway station to be fully accessible, and we are very grateful that this transit hub will now be usable by the eldery, disabled, and all those who need assistance. This progress was made possible by a long-term collective effort, finally resulting in the greater economic and social justice our community deserves," said Senator Sepúlveda.

“Public transportation is meant for every taxpaying New Yorker and not just the non-disabled. It would be unjust and unconscionable for the MTA to continue disregarding large populations of New Yorkers’ fundamental right to access public transportation,” said Assembly Member Reyes. “I am relieved the MTA has finally addressed this egregious issue and has committed to expanding access for all.”

The Capital Plan proposal is scheduled to be reviewed by the Board of the MTA at its meeting on Monday September 25. Once reviewed and if approved, the Board will submit the proposal to the MTA Capital Program Review Board for consideration and approval by October 1, 2019.