Accessible stations, elevators, buses, reduced fare and Access-A-Ride paratransit.
Last verified
Not every New York City subway station is accessible, so planning matters. This guide summarizes what the MTA publishes about accessible stations, elevators, buses, reduced fares and paratransit, and points you to our live elevator outage list.
Accessible subway stations
The MTA says there are more than 150 ADA-accessible subway stations. Our station pages show accessibility and elevator information where the MTA publishes it.
Every ADA-accessible station has at least one AutoGate: tap OMNY or use any MetroCard except a single-ride paper ticket. You can also ask a station agent to open the service gate.
Take extra care with the gap between the platform and the train. Wait near the middle of the platform so the conductor can see you, and ask them to hold the doors while you board.
Stay behind the yellow tactile edge-warning strips on platforms.
Elevators and escalators
Elevators may be taken out of service for maintenance or repairs. Before you travel, check our elevator outages page (built from the MTA's elevator and escalator feed), the MTA's elevator and escalator status page, or call 511 and say "MTA", then "Subway and Buses", then "current service status".
Buses
Signal the driver, who will position the bus to deploy the ramp or lift or lower the bus (kneeling).
The driver secures wheelchairs and scooters; lock your brakes before and after securement.
Priority seating for customers with disabilities and seniors is behind the driver.
Reduced fare
Riders 65 or older and riders with qualifying disabilities pay $1.50 on the subway, Staten Island Railway and local, limited and Select Bus Service buses. Details and how to apply: fares.
Access-A-Ride paratransit
Shared-ride service for eligible customers whose disabilities prevent them from using buses and subways.
Runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, within the five boroughs and a three-quarter-mile corridor beyond the city border into nearby parts of Nassau and Westchester counties.
Fare: $3, the same as the base fare.
Apply and book through the MTA's Access-A-Ride pages (links below).
Airports
JFK Airport describes Howard Beach–JFK Airport subway station and the LIRR's Jamaica station as ADA-accessible, and Newark Airport says all AirTrain Newark trains and stations are ADA-compliant. See airports.
Common questions
How many NYC subway stations are accessible?
The MTA says there are more than 150 ADA-accessible subway stations. Check elevator status before you go, because an elevator out of service can make a station inaccessible.
What is an AutoGate?
A wide automatic gate. The MTA says every ADA-accessible station has at least one AutoGate, which you can open by tapping OMNY or using any MetroCard except a single-ride paper ticket.
How much does Access-A-Ride cost?
The Access-A-Ride fare is the same as the base fare: $3 since January 4, 2026.
