Front (L-R)
Rinaldi, Bonacic
, Siegel
PORT JERVIS – It was just four months ago when Peter Tomasi and other area residents formed the “Access for All” ad hoc group lobbying for handicapped accessibility at the Port Jervis train station. On Friday, State Senator John Bonacic and Metro-North Acting President Catherine Rinaldi announced in less than six months, that will be provided.
By June, a temporary fix for those with disabilities to get on and off trains at the last stop on the Port Jervis Line, will be completed.
Bonacic said the improvements will not stop there. “In two years the MTA and I will commit $4 million to build a modern platform here that will be fully accessible to the disabled,” he said.
Officials and residents stood at the station in a steady snowfall to cheer on the announcement. Mayor Kelly Decker, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec and Councilman Stanley Siegel all praised the announcement.
Current grade-level platform means climbing steps
to get on the train
Rinaldi said construction of a new boarding platform will be timed with construction of a new signalization system associated with Positive Train Control.
At the same time as this announcement was made, some residents of Port Jervis who attended called for more parking at the station.
