Amtrak sets hearing, seeks comments on accessibility plans for long-distance equipment

By | August 7, 2023

With plans for semi-permanent coupling for trainsets, passenger carrier will seek FRA approval for variance from ADA requirements



A passenger uses a wheelchair lift to board an Amtrak California car in Martinez, Calif. Amtrak is seeking comment and has scheduled a hearing on accessibility plans for its next generation of long-distance equipment. Bob Johnston

WASHINGTON — Amtrak is considering the use of semi-permanent coupling in its next generation of long-distance trainsets, and as a result will seek regulatory approval to address accessibility requirements through accommodations throughout those trainsets, rather than in individual cars.

That proposal is included in a website the passenger operator has launched as it seeks public comment on its accessibility plans for the new long-distance equipment, which will also be addressed in an Aug. 30 hearing in Washington. Participation in that hearing can be either in person or virtual.

The website, available here, explains that some of Amtrak’s proposals would require the Federal Railroad Administration to approve what is called “equivalent facilitation,” in which alternate design standards are determined to provide equal or better accessibility.

The equivalent facilitation would seek to address provisions such as those that require a specific number of accessible spaces in each individual passenger coach and food service car; accessible restrooms on the lower level of bilevel lounge cars, regardless of accessibility on the upper level or in adjacent cars; and accessible accommodations in each sleeping car, regardless of the number of accessible accommodations elsewhere on the train.

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