Delaware River Port Authority, Accessibility Violations, Pennsylvania 2024

United States Attorneys Louis D. Lappen of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced that the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) has agreed to take action relating to the accessibility of DRPA’s PATCO train line for individuals with mobility assistance issues.

Following a government investigation, DRPA has agreed to post signs advising individuals with mobility assistance issues how to request alternate transportation in the event of an elevator outage at one of PATCO’s elevator-equipped stations. DRPA has for several years provided alternate transportation for such individuals in the event of an elevator outage. The additional signs will inform mobility-impaired patrons at the elevators of how to utilize this alternate transportation.

“It is in everyone’s interest that individuals with mobility impairments have full access to public transportation,” said U.S. Attorney Lappen of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, “and it is critical that those individuals know how to access the programs in place for them. We commend DRPA for its cooperation in the investigation and for agreeing to a common sense approach to this situation.”

The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Paul W. Kaufman and Anthony Scicchitano of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and Assistant United States Attorney Jessica O’Neill of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, in conjunction with David Knight of the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice.

According to authorities, the agreement between DRPA and the United States Attorneys Offices aims to ensure that individuals with mobility assistance issues have equal access to public transportation. The additional signs will be placed at PATCO stations equipped with elevators, providing clear instructions on how to request alternate transportation in the event of an elevator outage.

DRPA officials have expressed their commitment to accessibility and have agreed to work closely with the United States Attorneys Offices to ensure that all necessary measures are taken to address any accessibility concerns. The agreement marks a significant step towards promoting equal access to public transportation for individuals with mobility impairments.

The United States Attorneys Offices will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with DRPA to ensure that the agreement is implemented effectively. The resolution of this matter highlights the importance of ensuring equal access to public transportation for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.

Related Federal Cases