“After 19 years of steady improvements to the accessibility of its system, the MBTA has fulfilled a substantial amount of its obligations under the 2006 Joanne Daniels-Finegold, et al. v. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Settlement Agreement,” according to the transit agency, which provides subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit service in eastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island. “As a result, court-appointed independent monitor Judge Patrick King will conclude his oversight role.” (Download agreement below.)
In honor of this milestone, the MBTA said, it has worked with the original named plaintiffs, the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), and Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) “to enter into the Next Generation Accessibility Agreement with BCIL, which includes numerous commitments related to delivering best-in-class accessible service for all riders.” This agreement, it noted, also shifts oversight responsibility from a court-appointed monitor to the Riders’ Transportation Access Group (RTAG), the citizen-led advisory committee on accessibility matters at MBTA. The transit agency said “the organizations will work together to make more progress across the entire MBTA network.”
Since the Settlement Agreement was reached in 2006, the MBTA said it has made “improvements to virtually every aspect of its fixed-route system in order to ensure riders with disabilities have access to safe and reliable service.” Upgrades have included:
- “Creating and growing the Department of System-Wide Accessibility, a clearinghouse of accessibility expertise.
- “Prioritizing elevator maintenance. In the early 2000s, many of the MBTA’s most frequently use elevators were out of service the majority of the time. Today, elevators on average are operational 99.4% of the time. Additionally, a new elevator standard was created, resulting in larger, more transparent elevators.
- “Transitioning to an entirely low-floor, ramp-equipped bus fleet.
- “Fully revising and refreshing trainings for frontline employees on how to provide best-in-class accessible service.
- “Restructuring the process for handling accessibility-related complaints to ensure a fully closed loop system.
- “Expanding outreach and engagement to older adults and people with disabilities through the MBTA’s Mobility Center.
- “Developing and administering an Internal Accessibility Monitoring Program in order to systematically evaluate the experience of riders with disabilities.
- “Significantly expanding station accessibility. In 2005, less than 60% of stations were accessible; today, 83% are; 93% of stations are projected to be accessible in the next five years.
- “Advancing dual-mode public information systems so that important information is broadcast audibly as well as visually.
- “Rolling out new wayfinding signage standards to make navigating the system easier.”
Although not part of the Daniels-Finegold settlement, the MBTA noted that its RIDE paratransit service “has seen a number of improvements in recent years, including improved on-time performance and a new rider-facing app.”
According to the MBTA, accessibility improvements are planned for the coming years, including:
- “Major accessibility upgrades at more than 30 stations.
- “Advancing the automatic enforcement of blocked bus stops using bus camera technology.
- “Issuing a first-of-its-kind accessibility training for Transit Police officers.”
“The story of the Daniels-Finegold lawsuit and settlement is one that should be shared far and wide,” MBTA System-Wide Accessibility Assistant General Manager Laura Brelsford said. “Two decades ago, a small group of disabled riders, with help from a dedicated legal services organization, spoke up after experiencing years of inaccessible service. And when no one would listen, they kept fighting—ultimately securing what has been recognized as the most comprehensive accessibility-related settlement agreement in public transportation. What’s even more impressive, is that, once the settlement was signed, they shifted quickly from litigants to partners and have consistently and constructively guided us into becoming one of the most accessible systems in the country today. It has been a privilege to work alongside them and be part of this story.”
“Since my very initial days at the MBTA [in 2023], it was evident that the plaintiffs in the Daniels-Finegold landmark lawsuit were now partners,” Interim Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng said. “Their long-term commitment of working with us to improve and advance accessibility was not about the case but rather ensuring that all who wanted and needed to use mass transportation had the same access as everyone else—something that we at the T value equally. That is why this settlement agreement is not only a major milestone but so meaningful for myself and the MBTA leadership as we share that goal. While nationally, the MBTA is one of the most accessible legacy systems in the United States today, we also know we have much more to do. I value the dedication shown by each of the plaintiffs—in particular, Joanne Daniels-Finegold, Myrnairis Cepeda, Reginald Clark, Thomas Gilbert, Andrew Forman—along with, BCIL led by Bill Henning, Taramattie Doucette, and the entire team at GBLS, and Independent Monitor Judge King. I offer my sincerest gratitude for their decades of open communication and partnership as we strived to address accessibility at the MBTA. In addition, I would like to thank Christine Daniels, a community advocate, for her help on this important work. I am so proud of … Laura Brelsford and her entire team’s efforts that led the progress we see today. We remain committed to ensuring one day, each and every individual can use the MBTA with safety, dignity, and confidence as we work with RTAG who has now assumed oversight responsibilities.”
“For more than 20 years, the named plaintiffs, GBLS and the community have worked with the MBTA to make accessibility improvements that benefit all riders,” Joanne Daniels-Finegold said. “I’m glad that RTAG will now have the resources and a strong platform to take our legacy into the future.”
“It marks a huge step towards ensuring equal rights for riders of all abilities,” noted Myrnairis (Mic) Cepeda.
“I’m glad we were able to bring the right people at the MBTA together with the community to solve the access problems,” Reginald Clark said. Now, it’s up to the community to keep the work going with RTAG.”
“It means we have come a really long way compared to 20 years ago,” commented Thomas Gilbert. “It’s far better than it was. We have made a real difference, not just for the MBTA, but worldwide. The MBTA has become a benchmark standard for accessibility.”
“Thanks to the leadership and foundational work of Greater Boston Legal Services and the plaintiffs, and with the strong team we have assembled—including System-Wide Accessibility, the BCIL, and the RTAG—I am confident that we will continue to advance accessibility at the MBTA,” said Andrew Forman. “Although the transition presents significant challenges, our productive working relationship with the MBTA gives me confidence that full accessibility will ultimately be achieved.”
“Today, I am very pleased to see the MBTA’s transformation from a decrepit system to one that is finally accessible, dependable, and built for all riders,” Gene Smith said.
“BCIL extols the amazing individual plaintiffs who’ve given over twenty years of personal time to improve accessibility at the T, the great GBLS legal team, and the ongoing commitment throughout the MBTA’s ranks to get it right on the ADA,” added Bill Henning, the Director of the organizational plaintiff, BCIL.
“Now that plaintiffs will be transitioning to RTAG, it is important to note that the work is not done,” summed up Taramattie Doucette, Esq., who serves as lead counsel for the plaintiffs on behalf of the GBLS. “Accessibility is not a box we check; it is a standard we must continue to raise. As systems age, as ridership grows, and as new technologies emerge, the community via BCIL/RTAG must insist that progress continues—steadily, boldly, and inclusively.”
