Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make all subway stations in hurricane evacuation zones accessible to people with disabilities.

Res. No. 381

Resolution calling upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make all subway stations in hurricane evacuation zones accessible to people with disabilities.

By Council Members Treyger, Brannan and Yeger

                     Whereas, Superstorm Sandy offered a stark lesson that New York City must be prepared to face serious coastal storms, which experts predict will become more severe in terms of both frequency and ferocity due to the effects of climate change; and

                     Whereas, Nearly 3 million New Yorkers live in designated hurricane evacuation zones, accounting for 37 percent of all City residences; and

                     Whereas, The City’s experience during Sandy illustrated that seniors and people with disabilities, particularly those with mobility impairments, are among the most vulnerable during an emergency evacuation; and

                     Whereas, Only 117 out of a total of 493 stations in the City’s subway system, which is operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”), are accessible to people with disabilities; and

                     Whereas, If seniors and people with disabilities in hurricane evacuation zones had access to accessible subway stations, it would provide them with a valuable alternative means of reaching safety in the event of an emergency and would relieve pressure on other road-based modes of evacuation; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to make all subway stations in hurricane evacuation zones accessible to people with disabilities.

LS# 2102

1/12/2018

JM