July 26, marks the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, commemorating the critical role public transportation plays in providing independence and opportunity for people with disabilities. SEPTA acknowledges the occasion with ten notable moments in the authority’s history that have improved and expanded the accessibility of public transit services and facilities for members of disability community living and working in the Philadelphia region.
“Our transportation system is a lifeline for so many of the region’s residents, especially persons with disabilities,” SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey said. “As a legacy system, updating infrastructure to become ADA accessible is a challenge but it is one of SEPTA’s top priorities.”
- July 1992 – SEPTA’s Special Services for disabled riders becomes ADA Complementary Paratransit per DOT ADA regulations
- November 1992 - SEPTA becomes Philadelphia County Coordinator for PA Shared Ride Program (SRP) Paratransit service for senior citizens, co-mingling this service with existing ADA service
- 1994 - SEPTA Paratransit becomes operating division of SEPTA
- 2004 – SEPTA’s entire bus fleet becomes ADA accessible
- 2008 – Ridership by wheelchair riders triples on SEPTA fixed-route bus service and continues to grow.
- 2009 - SEPTA joins industry-wide consortium to collaborate with transit authorities across the country on the development of a national Transit Elevator/Escalator Maintenance Training and Apprenticeship Program adhering to standards set forth by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
- 2011 - SEPTA is named recipient of 2011 Brunel International Railway Design Award for innovative engineering design and first class upgrades to Fort Washington, Ambler and North Wales Regional Rail Stations. These three stations were made ADA accessible and were improved to reflect the character and features of their surrounding communities while maintaining classic railroad features.
- 2012 - SEPTA opens state-of-the-art Accessible Travel Center to help disabled riders learn how to use and navigate the Authority’s system.
- 2012 - SEPTA celebrates completion of renovations at its 100th and 101st Accessible rail stations under ADA – Spring Garden and Girard along the Broad Street Line – with ribbon cutting ceremony.
- 2014 - SEPTA launches travel training program with local high schools and Occupational Therapy university students.
