Keeping elevators reliable

Elevators are an essential accessibility feature at more than 100 subway stations, helping thousands of customers move through our subway system every day. Safe, reliable service is our priority, including when it comes to maintaining our fleet of more than 300 elevators. 

To ensure safety and reliability, occasionally we must take elevators out of service for replacement and upgrade. While these elevator replacement projects take several months, they are a necessary improvement that results in more modern machines that provide a smoother ride and more reliable service. We will be replacing elevators at several stations in the upcoming months because they are nearing the end of their useful life. 

These projects include: 

• Full replacement of elevator cab and associated equipment within the cab, shaft, and pit, along with any modifications to the shaft and pit needed to accommodate new equipment. Modernized parts will mean a smoother ride and more reliable service for customers
• Replacing and modernizing all machine room equipment for better and more reliable service
• Replacing and modernizing all CCTV and fire alarm equipment for enhanced security
• Upgrading the LiftNet remote monitoring equipment to allow us to respond more quickly and precisely if an elevator goes out of service
   

We know that these elevator projects impact our customers, and we want to make sure you have information to plan your travels accordingly. Look for signage in stations and read on to learn more about the timeline for these projects, and remember to visit our Elevator & Escalator Status page for the real-time status of machines throughout the system. 

We know that these elevator projects impact your travel, and we want to make sure you have information to plan accordingly. Look for signage in stations, and keep reading to learn more about the timeline and your options during these projects. Remember to visit our Elevator & Escalator Status page for the real-time status of elevators throughout the system. 

Grand Central-42 St 

Elevator EL205 from the mezzanine to the downtown   platform is out of service through September 2022.

Alternative accessible travel options during this outage includes the 51 St station. For detailed alternative accessible travel options to and from this station, visit the Elevator & Escalator status page. Additional information is posted on signage in the station and on the MYmta app.

34 St - Penn Station 

Elevators EL214 and EL216 serving the  local platform are out of service through December 2022. 

For accessible travel to and from Penn Station during this outage, please use the adjacent express platform. Please note that there is no overnight express service at this station. All overnight trains stop on the local platform due to this station's track configuration. For accessible overnight travel to Penn Station, please use the nearby 34 St-Penn Station  station or the M7 bus from Times Square-42 St.  For detailed alternative accessible travel options to and from Penn Station, visit the Elevator & Escalator status page. Additional information is posted on signage in the station and on the MYmta app.

These elevator replacements are part of a bigger renovation project throughout Penn Station, which will improve accessibility across Penn Station and include an additional new elevator.

Lexington Av/63 St 

Elevator EL402, which connects the mezzanine and platform levels from the entrance at Lexington Ave and 63rd St, is out of service through September 2022.

For accessible travel to and from the Lexington Av/63 St station, please use the elevator entrance at the northwest corner of 3rd Ave and 63rd St to access elevators to the platform. To exit the station from the platform level, please follow signage to the elevator bank at the end of the platform, which provides access to the elevator exit at 3rd Ave and 63rd St. Additional information is posted on signage in the station.