§12162 Intercity and Commuter Rail Actions Considered Discriminatory

Summary

Train companies must provide accessible rail service for people with disabilities, including wheelchair users. Every intercity and commuter train must have at least one passenger car that is usable by people with disabilities no later than 5 years after July 26, 1990. Any new cars ordered more than 30 days after July 26, 1990 must be accessible. Single-level coaches must allow wheelchair entry, have spaces to park and secure wheelchairs and spaces to fold and store wheelchairs, and must include an accessible restroom and platform entry when required by the timetable below. On trains with single-level coaches, at least one-half of those coaches must have wheelchair parking and folding/storage spaces no later than 5 years after July 26, 1990, and all such coaches must have those spaces no later than 10 years after July 26, 1990. No more than two such spaces may be in any one coach or food car. Dining car and bi-level car rules are limited: some bi-level dining cars and certain dining-car features do not have to provide platform entry, parking, transfer seats, or restrooms, but single-level dining cars bought after July 26, 1990 must provide table service and other aids to wheelchair users when adjacent accessible cars and space are available. When buying used cars, companies must try in good faith to get ones that are accessible. If a car is remanufactured so its life is extended 10 years or more, it must be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible, and remanufactured cars sold or leased must meet that rule. New stations must be accessible. Existing intercity stations must be made accessible as soon as possible but no later than 20 years after July 26, 1990. Key commuter stations must be made accessible as soon as possible but no later than 3 years after July 26, 1990 (this can be extended up to 20 years in very costly cases). Commuter systems must pick key stations after consulting disability groups and holding a public hearing. Plans with milestones are required. When stations are altered, the altered parts and routes to them (including bathrooms, phones, and water fountains serving those areas) must be made accessible to the maximum extent feasible unless doing so is disproportionate. Station owners must reasonably help those responsible for making these changes and can be held liable if they do not cooperate.