§12147 Alterations of existing facilities

Summary

Public transit agencies must make changes to existing transit buildings or parts of them so the changed areas are easy to get into and use for people with disabilities, including people who use wheelchairs, when the work is done. If the work affects a main service area, the agency must also, as much as possible, make the route to that area and the bathrooms, phones, and drinking fountains that serve it accessible — unless making those extra changes would be disproportionately costly or large under rules set by the Attorney General. For rapid rail and light rail, agencies must make certain "key stations" (as the Secretary defines) accessible. That work must be done as soon as possible but no later than the last day of the 3-year period beginning on July 26, 1990. The Secretary may extend that deadline up to 30 years for stations needing very costly rebuilding, but by the last day of the 20th year after July 26, 1990, at least 2/3 of those stations must be accessible. Agencies must give the Secretary a plan that includes consultation with people with disabilities, a public hearing and comments, and milestones for meeting these rules.