Beimen Station B2 elevators and a wheelchair 20141116

Redundant elevators are additional elevators installed to guarantee greater accessibility of buildings and public transportation systems in the event that an elevator malfunctions or is undergoing repairs. The United States

Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund Disability is the experience of any condition that makes it more difficult for a person to do certain activities or have equitable access within a given society. Disabilities may be cognitive, developmental, intellectual, mental, physical, ...

describes redundant elevators as a "best practice" and recommends all transit agencies "consider installing redundant elevators at all existing key stations with elevators in rapid, light, and commuter rail, and at all

Amtrak The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Trade name, doing business as Amtrak (; ), is the national Passenger train, passenger railroad company of the United States. It operates intercity rail service in 46 of the 48 contiguous United Stat ...

stations with elevators."

Legislation

United States

The

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 or ADA () is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability. It affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, ...

requires elevators for new construction and alterations in public accommodations and commercial facilities, with some exceptions. However, there are no requirements for redundant elevators.

Redundant elevators in public transportation

Canada

Ottawa

Ottawa's

OC Transpo OC Transpo is the primary Transit district, public transport agency for the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, operating bus rapid transit, light rail, conventional transit bus, bus routes, and door-to-door paratransit in the nation's capital regi ...

has committed to installing redundant elevators at all transfer stations and stations where alternative accessible routes cannot be provided.

United States

Bay Area Rapid Transit

All

Bay Area Rapid Transit Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area in California. BART serves 50 stations along six routes and of track, including eBART, a spur line running to Antioch, and Oakland Airport Connecto ...

stations have accessible elevators, however most stations lack redundant elevators. BART has committed to increasing elevator redundancy within its system.

Connecticut Department of Transportation

Connecticut Department of Transportation The Connecticut Department of Transportation (officially referred to as CTDOT, occasionally ConnDOT, and CDOT in rare instances) is responsible for the development and operation of highways, Rail transport, railroads, mass transit systems, por ...

policy states that at stations without redundant elevators, signage must be posted near all elevators displaying a 24-hour monitored telephone number that connects the passenger to a mobility taxi service.

MBTA

As part of a 2006 agreement between the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and the Boston Center for Independent Living, MBTA has agreed to install redundant elevators at stations in their system.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Washington Metro

Since 2003, the

Washington Metro The Washington Metro, often abbreviated as the Metro and formally the Metrorail, is a rapid transit system serving the Washington metropolitan area of the United States. It is administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ...

has required that all newly constructed stations must have redundant elevators. As of 2025, all Washington Metro stations are wheelchair accessible but the majority of stations lack redundant elevators. 23 out of 98 stations have at least one redundant elevator, with redundant elevators planned for installation at four other stations.

References

External links

{{Disability navbox Accessibility Disability rights Elevators