NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit has agreed to upgrade five of its stations to make them compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey has announced.
The settlement covers the New Brunswick, Newark Penn, Princeton Junction, Metropark, and Trenton stations. While all five are considered wheelchair accessible, NorthJersey.com reports, the 51-page agreement identifies more than 200 repairs that are required.
“In ways large and small, people with disabilities were denied full access to transportation services – whether it was the lack of access to restrooms, no signs, bad ramps, poor access to elevators, or that parking spaces were just too small for those who needed wheelchair access,” U.S. Attorney Phillip R. Sellinger said in an announcement of the settlement. “… To their credit, NJ Transit has swiftly recognized these deficiencies and already begun to bring its intercity rail stations into compliance with the ADA.”
NJ Transit spokesman Jim Smith told the news site that about half the issues have already been addressed. The others require engineering and architectural review.
“When DOJ contacted NJ Transit in early 2021 with ADA deficiencies, we moved quickly to implement remedies and add repairs to our capital improvement plans,” Smith said.
Mr. Landey, never thought about it. I know the planes load those in wheelchairs first. But what if that person needs to use the restroom? How is that accomplished.
A disabled person on an airplane has choices to urinate.
One, attempt to get assistance to the loo. Two, keep a container for use in the seat.
Process one involves having personal who can maneuver heavy weights in confined areas. For short flights this usually means holding it, for longer flights this is sometimes SOL.
Process two requires understanding seat mates and cab attendants.
Traveling for the disabled is frequently trying even when traveling by personal vehicles (cars, buses, privately owned railcars private aircraft.)
The only exception is the ocean cruise industry. They can draw upon multiple resources. Even then shore side excursions can be
I take it that this settlement means that even though all these stations are on the Northeast Corridor and are AMTRAK stops that NJ Transit, and not AMTRAK, owns the stations.
How about if the ADA folks look into accessible bathrooms on airplanes? I’m average height and weight, no problems whatsoever in mobility, and can barely get into the head on today’s aircraft. Imagine someone in a wheelchair or someone overweight. Why is it that only rail gets busted?
Those restrooms on the aircraft are for emergency only…don’t you know you’re not meant to go the bathroom when flying, Charles?