NJ Transit’s Access Link Program Found In Violation Of Federal ADA Law

NEW JERSEY - New Jersey Transit is slated to make improvements to its Access Link transportation accessibility program following a settlement stemming from findings from the U.S. Attorney's Office of New Jersey that the program violated the civil rights of individuals with disabilities.

While the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires public transit entities to provide access to public transportation, including providing a paratransit system, NJ Transit’s Access Link program was found to not be in compliance due to excessively long trips, late pickups, late drop-offs, and excessive telephone hold times, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a statement announcing a settlement with the transit authority.

“Without equal access to public transportation, people with disabilities are deprived the opportunity to engage in society on an equal basis,” Sellinger said. “This agreement removes discriminatory barriers by ensuring that thousands of Americans with disabilities have equal access to public transportation throughout New Jersey.”

New Jersey Transit previously pledged to make five of its rail stations – Newark Penn Station, Princeton Junction Train Station, MetroPark Train Station, Trenton Train Station, and New Brunswick Train Station – accessible to individuals with disabilities in an October settlement with federal officials. Read more: NJ Transit To Fix 5 Stations In Violation Of Federal Disabilities Act

Sellinger created the Civil Rights Division of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey earlier this year with the goal of “enforcing federal civil rights laws, including the ADA, with the goal of protecting and upholding the civil rights of those in our community,” according to a news release.

Those who believe they may have been victims of discrimination may file a complaint with the U.S Attorney’s Office at http://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/civil-rights-enforcement/complaint or call the U.S. Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Hotline at (855) 281-3339.

Additional information about the ADA can be found at www.ada.gov, or by calling the Department of Justice’s toll-free ADA information line at 800-514-0301 or 800-514-0383 (TDD).