Advisories posted in subway stations and on the TA's website back in August indicated that the platform would be accessible on September 6th, 2005.  When it wasn't the TA promised us September 22nd, that date too was not met, said Harris.  Later it was the end of September, but that too didn't happen.  "The TA kept coming up with excuse after excuse for the delays", said Harris.  The TA said in a statement today that the platform was certified as accessible on October 16th, 2005.  However, disabled riders were led to believe that the station remained non-accessible.  As of 6AM this morning New York City Transit's Elevator Hotline indicated that Elevator # 313 - Stillwell Avenue, West End Line was "temporarily out of service".  There is just one problem; the New York City Transit Authority said in a statement that the elevator was decommissioned almost two years ago.  "It is bad enough that accessibility is six months behind schedule (the platform was supposed to be accessible in May), but for the TA to be providing disabled riders with false information is simply inexcusable," said Harris, pointing to the concrete wall where Elevator #313 once stood.  "Disabled riders are being told that a station, which, when the elevators actually are working is accessible is not." 

Harris and Cohen toured the station this morning and were appalled to find such major ignorance on the part of the TA of riders.  "I am deeply disturbed to discover that the MTA spent $296 million dollars to make a station less user friendly", said Cohen, "it is demonstrative of a blatant disregard for their customers."

The MTA says that the circuitous route was the only way to maintain accessibility, but Harris and Cohen disagree.  "This station was accessible with a simple elevator, why couldn't they have maintained the existing layout?” asked Harris. 

Cohen also raised concerns over senior citizens in her district.  "This makes what was a simple train to board, into a trek", she said, "I worry that many in my community may give up on the station altogether."

Harris agreed, saying, "Disabled riders want to ride the subways, but face numerous obstacles including subway gaps, broken elevators and a lack of accessible stations.  We should be progressing towards greater subway accessibility, but instead we are seeing regression."  Harris says that the TA has shown a consistent disregard for the needs of riders with disabilities.  "This incredibly confusing and circuitous route to get to the platform is just another example of the TA railroading riders with disabilities", he said.

 Cohen and Harris both say that for the good of the riding public they will not drop this issue. 

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 MEDIA AVAILABILITY: IMMEDIATE   

DESCRIPTION OF SITUATION ON THE TA’S WEBSITE: Coney Island-Stillwell Av
 For service, take ramp to elevator. Take elevator to overpass and take elevator to platform. Note: Ramp on platform is not accessible.
 (http://mta.info/mta/ada/stations.htm#brooklyn)