Transit rail stations that are compliant with requirements under
the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) (box 6-C) increased 178
percent from just 553 stations (out of 2,452) in 1993 to 1,537
stations (out of 2,799) in 2003 (figure 6-6). Yet, the rate at
which compliance increased at commuter-rail, light-rail, and
heavy-rail stations differed (figure 6-7). The percentage of
light-rail stations that are ADA accessible rose the fastest
among the transit rail modes, from 24 percent compliant (92
stations) in 1993 to 76 percent (466 stations) in 2003 (figure
6-7). During the same time period, commuter-rail station
accessibility grew from 23 percent (242 stations) to 56 percent
(643 stations). Heavy-rail riders also experienced an increase
in ADA-compliant stations, from 22 percent (217 stations) in
1993 to 41 percent (416 stations) in 2003. Transit buses are
also subject to ADA requirements. As of 2003, 95 percent of all
transit buses were equipped with lifts or ramps to make them
accessible to disabled riders.1