S. 5086: All Stations Accessibility Program Reauthorization Act

This bill would create a federal grant program to help state and local transit agencies make older rail stations and related passenger facilities more accessible for people with disabilities.

What the grants would fund

The Department of Transportation could award competitive grants to state or local government transit authorities for capital projects that improve accessibility at legacy rail fixed guideway systems—basically rail systems, including certain commuter rail facilities, that were in operation before July 26, 1990.

Grant money could be used for projects such as:

• repairing, improving, modifying, retrofitting, or relocating station infrastructure;
• making structural changes to stations or passenger facilities;
• planning and designing accessibility projects;
• working with disability rights organizations or getting accessibility assessments; and
• other projects that bring stations and facilities up to, or beyond, current ADA new-construction standards.

Who could receive the grants

Only state or local governmental authorities would be eligible. The bill defines the covered rail systems as those built or operating before 1990, including commuter rail stations or passenger facilities constructed before that date.

Accessibility goals

Recipients of the grants would have to adopt a plan showing they will pursue transit projects that:

• improve accessibility for people with physical disabilities, including wheelchair users;
• improve accessibility for people with sensory disabilities;
• improve accessibility for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities;
• improve service and operations for riders with disabilities; and
• consider fairness of service for riders regardless of income, age, race, or ability, including communities that have historically had service gaps.

Coordination with disability organizations

The bill would direct the Secretary of Transportation to encourage grant recipients to work with disability advocacy groups, such as state protection and advocacy systems and centers for independent living. It also encourages those groups to help assess station accessibility and planned modifications when appropriate.

Federal cost share

Federal grants could cover up to 80% of a project’s net cost. The remaining cost could be covered by local matching funds.

Funding

The bill would authorize $350 million from the Mass Transit Account of the Highway Trust Fund for fiscal year 2027 and each year after that, with the amount increased for inflation starting in fiscal year 2028.

Relevant Companies

None found