This section contains amendments from November 30, 1993.
37.47 Key stations in light and rapid rail systems.
(a) Each public entity that provides designated public transportation
by
means of a light or rapid rail system shall make key stations on its
system
readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities,
including
individuals who use wheelchairs. This requirement is separate from and
in
addition to requirements set forth in 37.43 of this Part.
(b) Each public entity shall determine which stations on its system are
key
stations. The entity shall identify key stations, using the
planning
and public participation process set forth in paragraph (d) of
this
section, and taking into consideration the following criteria:
- Stations where passenger boardings exceed average station
passenger
boardings on the rail system by at least fifteen percent, unless such a
station
is close to another accessible station;
- Transfer stations on a rail line or between rail lines;
- Major interchange points with other transportation modes,
including
stations connecting with major parking facilities, bus terminals,
intercity
or commuter rail stations, passenger vessel terminals, or airports;
- End stations, unless an end station is close to another
accessible
station; and
- Stations serving major activity centers, such as employment or
government
centers, institutions of higher education, hospitals or other major
health
care facilities, or other facilities that are major trip generators for
individuals
with disabilities.
(c)
- Unless
an entity receives an extension under
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the public entity shall achieve
accessibility
of key stations as soon as possible, but in no case later than July 26,
1993,
except that an entity is not required to complete installation of
detectable
warnings required by section 10.3.2(2) of appendix A to this part until
July
26, 1994.
- The UMTA Administrator may grant an extension of this completion
date
for key station accessibility for a period up to July 26, 2020,
provided
that two-thirds of key stations are made accessible by July 26,
2010.
Extensions may be granted as provided in paragraph (e) of this section.
(d) The public entity shall develop a plan for compliance for this
section.
The plan shall be submitted to the appropriate UMTA regional office by
July
26, 1992. (See Appendix B to this part for list.)
- The public entity shall consult with individuals with
disabilities
affected by the plan. The public entity also shall hold at least
one
public hearing on the plan and solicit comments on it. The plan
submitted
to UMTA shall document this public participation, including summaries
of
the consultation with individuals with disabilities and the comments
received
at the hearing and during the comment period. The plan also shall
summarize
the public entity's responses to the comments and consultation.
- The plan shall establish milestones for the achievement of
required
accessibility of key stations, consistent with the requirements of this
section.
(e) A public entity wishing to apply for an extension of the July 26,
1993,
deadline for key station accessibility shall include a request for an
extension
with its plan submitted to UMTA under paragraph (d) of this
section.
Extensions may be granted only with respect to key stations which need
extraordinarily
expensive structural changes to, or replacement of, existing facilities
(e.g.,
installations of elevators, raising the entire passenger platform, or
alterations
of similar magnitude and cost). Requests for extensions shall
provide
for completion of key station accessibility within the time limits set
forth
in paragraph (c) of this section. The UMTA Administrator may
approve,
approve with conditions, modify, or disapprove any request for an
extension.