Transportation

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The following information is meant to assist people with disabilities in finding helpful resources, services, and/or benefits available for Transportation.

There are multiple safe, affordable public and private transportation options for people with disabilities in New York City with a variety of services designed to accommodate their needs.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)

The MTA manages buses, subways, commuter trains, bridges, and tunnels in New York City and the surrounding areas—including Long Island, Westchester, the Hudson Valley, and Connecticut.

Congestion Relief Zone Toll: Individual Disability Exemption Plan

Vehicles enrolled in the Individual Disability Exemption Plan (IDEP) are exempt from the Congestion Relief Zone toll.

Individual Disability Exemption Plan

MTA Trip Planner

A resource developed by the MTA to assist individuals with utilizing public transportation in the most efficient manner. This search engine includes a feature that will only provide accessible routes.

MTA Metro-North Railroad

The MTA Metro-North Railroad provides commuter transportation from Grand Central Station in Manhattan to Westchester, Putnam, Duchess, Rockland, and Orange counties, as well as Connecticut.

Long Island Railroad (LIRR)

The LIRR is a commuter rail system stretching from Manhattan to the eastern tip of Suffolk County on Long Island.

Complete List of LIRR Stations (Accessibility information is provided by following a station’s link.)

NYC Subways

Not all subway stations are accessible for people with disabilities. Elevators for individuals with physical disabilities are available at select stations. Customer Service representatives are available 24 hours a day to help plan your trip.

  • Systemwide List of Accessible Stations
  • To request information in braille, contact the MTA ADA Compliance Division at 511.
  • To request a raised line subway map in braille, please call: 718-393-4131
  • To request a large print subway map please call: 212-878-7483

Reduced-Fare MetroCards

NYC Reduced-Fare MetroCards are available for seniors who are 65 and older, and people with a qualifying disability. People with disabilities who are approved for a Reduced-Fare MetroCard pay half the base fare when traveling on an MTA buses or subways. Reduced-Fare Metro Cards can be used to pay fares on all MTA subways and local buses, 24 hours a day; and on express buses during non-rush hours.

Reduced-Fare MetroCard Application and Instructions

Fair Fares NYC MetroCard

Fair Fares NYC is a City program created to help New Yorkers with low incomes manage their transportation costs. Using the Fair Fares NYC MetroCard, eligible New York City residents receive a 50% discount on subway and eligible bus fares. Pay-per-Ride, weekly unlimited, and monthly unlimited options are all available. Fair Fares can also provide 50% off MTA Access-A-Ride paratransit trips. Access-A-Ride customers do not pay for their trips using a Fair Fares NYC MetroCard; their discount is applied automatically to their Access-A-Ride trips once their Fair Fares and Access-A-Ride accounts are linked.

Fair Fares NYC applications are open to eligible New Yorkers at or below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Subway and eligible bus discounts are open to New Yorkers who don't have (and aren't eligible for) discounted transportation from the MTA or the City.  If you meet the Fair Fares NYC eligibility criteria, you may also be eligible for the Fair Fares NYC discount on Access-A-Ride fares if you also are in the MTA Reduced-Fare Program for people with a disability or have an Access-A-Ride MetroCard.

To check your eligibility and apply for Fair Fares NYC, you can:

Fair Fares Access-A-Ride Form

Elevator/Escalator Service

For up-to-date information on elevator and escalator availability in subway stations dial 511 or visit the Elevator and Escalator Status Page.

Access-A-Ride (AAR)

The MTA New York City Transit Access-A-Ride (AAR) service is the City’s paratransit program which provides public transportation for eligible customers with disabilities that prevent them from using the public buses and subways.

AAR Paratransit Service Operates:

  • Within the five boroughs of New York City and within a three-quarter-of-a-mile corridor beyond fixed-route service across the NYC borderline to nearby areas of Nassau and Westchester counties.
  • A shared-ride program (you may be riding with other customers).
  • Origin-to-destination service or feeder service for eligible customers.
  • Non-priority trips with maximum ride times based on trip distance.
  • 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
  • In compliance with Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.

Learn more about how to Apply or Recertify for Access-A-Ride.

Get more information about making Access-A-Ride Complaints, Commendations, or Suggestions.

Visit the Access-A-Ride Website.

OMNY Cards

Reduced-Fare customers can now tap to pay their fare with OMNY. OMNY is the fare payment system that lets you pay your subway or local bus fare with a smartphone, wearable device, or contactless credit or debit card.

Reduced-Fare OMNY cards are now available. If you're ready to tap and go with your own contactless device, card, or OMNY Card, visit the OMNY for Reduced-Fare website.

OMNY will be offered for Access-A-Ride users during the next phases of the rollout. Access-A-Ride customers will be able to use OMNY as a payment method for paratransit trips. Cash will continue to be accepted as well. Additional information can be found on the OMNY Rollout page.

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Taxis & For-Hire Vehicles

Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)

New York City’s TLC is the agency responsible for licensing and regulating New York City's medallion (yellow) taxicabs, green (outer-borough) taxicabs, for-hire vehicles (community-based liveries, black cars (app-based and dispatched), and luxury limousines), commuter vans, ambulettes, and paratransit vehicles.

Service dogs are welcome in all vehicles.

Complaints can be registered by calling (212) NYC-TAXI or by calling 311 (212-639-9675 outside NYC or Text 311-692).

Accessible Ride Resources on TLC Website

Accessible Dispatch

The TLC manages a program that provides wheelchair accessible yellow and green taxi dispatching services for trips originating anywhere in the five boroughs. Passengers pay the normal metered taxi fare in New York City from the point of pick-up to destination. There are no extra costs to passengers.

There are four ways to request a wheelchair accessible taxi through the Citywide Accessible Dispatch Program:

  1. Use the mobile app “Accessible Dispatch NYC”
  2. Order online at mtm.webbooker.icabbi.com
  3. Call the dispatch center directly: 646-599-9999
  4. Call 311 (212-639-9675 outside NYC or Text 311-692) and ask for an Accessible Taxi

Accessible Dispatch Website

Project CART

Project CART is a van service that provides specialized transportation for seniors aged 60 or over (with and without disabilities) who reside in Community Boards 1-8 in Manhattan. Project CART is in operation from Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Phone: 212-956-0855

Project Cart Website

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Motorists & Parking

Parking Permits for People with Disabilities

The New York City Department of Transportation issues two types of permits for citizens with disabilities - a New York State permit and a New York City Parking Permit for People with Disabilities (NYC PPPD). There are different eligibility requirements and different uses for these permits. The State permit can only be used in designated parking spaces for people with disabilities, while the NYC PPPD is valid for on-street parking throughout New York City. The NYC PPPD application also requires supporting medical documentation.

Visit the DOT Parking Permits for People with Disabilities Website for more information and to apply.

Parking Violations

If you hold a valid New York City Department of Transportation Parking Permit for Persons with Disabilities and have been issued a parking ticket while legally parked, contact the Department of Finance's Parking Violations Bureau Helpline by dialing 311 (212-639-9675 outside NYC or Text 311-692).

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Ferries

New York City has several ferry operators that serve locations throughout the five boroughs and provide commuter service to the tri-state area and Massachusetts.

All ferries are wheelchair accessible and service dogs are permitted.

New York City Ferry

NYC Ferry provides New Yorkers a dependable and accessible way to commute and connect in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx along the East River. The state-of-the-art vessels offer comfortable conveniences including charging stations, Wi-Fi, and concessions - and they're the same price as a subway ride.

NYC Ferry administers a Ferry Discount Program. This program permits eligible individuals to purchase a reduced fare One-Way Ticket for the NYC Ferry. The Ferry Discount Program is available to riders who are: Older Adults Aged 65 and Older; People with Disabilities; and Participants in the Fair Fares NYC program. For more information, and to apply, visit the NYCF Reduced Fare section of the NYC Ferries ticketing page.

New York City Ferry Website

New York Waterway

New York Waterway operates commuter ferry routes between locations in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley to locations in Manhattan.

SeaStreak

SeaStreak operates ferry routes serving the following locations: Central New Jersey; Manhattan; New Bedford, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket in Massachusetts; Sandy Hook; and Providence and Newport in Rhode Island. Each ferry has an accessible entrance and restroom.

Phone: 800-262-8743

Sea Streak Ferries Website

Staten Island Ferry

The Staten Island Ferry is a passenger ferry route operated by the New York City Department of Transportation. The ferry's single route runs 5.2 miles through New York Harbor between Lower Manhattan and Staten Island. Ferries run throughout the day with boats making the trip in approximately 25 minutes.

Both terminals (Manhattan and Staten Island) are equipped with escalators and elevators and operate within ADA guidelines. Passengers who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices can board at both levels 24/7 without the need for prior documentation. For those passengers not using wheelchairs or other mobility devices, authorization to board on the lower level during hours when lower level boarding is closed to the general public will only be issued with proper supporting documentation. For further information, please call 212-839-3061, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm, all other times please dial 311 (212-639-9675 outside NYC or Text 311-692). You may also email your request and documentation to ferryaccessrequest@dot.nyc.gov. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for processing.

Staten Island Ferry DOT Website

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Airport Transportation

The MTA provides transportation services to LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports. NJ Transit and Amtrak provide service to Newark Airport.

For MTA Information, from within the five boroughs, call 511. From outside NYC, call 718-330-1234.

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Transportation Complaints

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Complaints (MTA)

To make a complaint to the MTA you will need the following information:

  • When did the problem occur, date and time?
  • Where did it occur?
  • Did it involve the application process, reserving a trip, taking a trip, or some other issue?
  • Did it involve your driver, another customer, AAR staff, the vehicle, subscription service, or something else?

MTA's Access-A-Ride Complaints

1-877-337-2017 prompt 8

Reduced Fare Metro Card

Phone: 511 (711 for TTY) or 718-330-1234

MTA Elevator or Escalator Outages

Phone: 511

City and State Disability Parking Permits

Contact the NYC Department of Transportation at 718-433-3100.

Taxi and Limousine Complaints Process

If you would like to file a complaint about an experience with TLC you can call 311 (212-639-9675 outside NYC or Text 311-692) or fill out the 311 complaint form online.

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