Light-rail fare machines to be lowered

in height to ease access for people with

disabilities
By Jordan Baxter, On Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Fare vending meters for the light-rail stations will be lowered by 6 inches to facilitate access for those in wheelchairs. The project
will take three years and cost more than $300,000, according to the Phoenix Public Transit Department. (Madeline Pado/DD)

The fare vending machines in downtown Phoenixs light-rail stations will have their heights changed in
order to create easier access for those with disabilities.
The change to the light rails 62 fare vending machines will cost more than $300,000. Each machine
will be lowered by 6 inches, in a project that is slated for completion in three years.

When Councilwoman Kate Gallego witnessed a veteran in a wheelchair needing assistance, she
proposed the change to lower all fare machines to fit the needs of everyone, including people with
disabilities.
I met a gentlemen in a wheelchair (named) Sgt. John Bradley. He handed me some money and
asked if I could pay for him because he could not reach the pay station since he lost both his legs in
Vietnam, Gallego said.
I had not realized that the light-rail pedestals were too high for someone in a wheelchair until he
brought it to my attention, Gallego said. I realized it was something that needed to be changed.
Gallego was using the light rail because she had a seizure that prevented her from driving.
I had a seizure in December and when you have a seizure in Arizona they take away your license for
a few months, Gallego said. I was depending heavily on the public-transit system and realized how
valuable it was. I really value my independence and my ability of getting around without asking for
favors, and I assume that is true about veterans as well.
Valley Metro reported record high numbers in ridership for the 2013 fiscal year for both the light rail
and the public transit system as a whole. Between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013, more than 14
million riders boarded the light rail and 77 million riders boarded at least one form of public transit.
The change in height is intended to help those with disabilities reach the fare station more easily.
Lowering the machines will allow a greater range of riders at different heights to purchase a ticket.
We have fare vending machines located at all of our light-rail station platforms and will be lowering
62 of the fare vending machines over the next three years, said Susan Tierney, Valley Metros
communications manager.
According to a press release from Valley Metro, fare machines along the 20-mile line currently meet
height requirements set by the Americans with Disabilities Act. In fact, all parts of the light-rail
system meet or exceed regulations of the ADA. The machines are being lowered to improve access for
all riders beyond what is already in place.
The reason that the change is spaced out over three years, rather than taking effect more quickly, is
budgetary. Matt Heil, a public information officer with the city of Phoenix Public Transit Department,
said that the cost of changing the machines will not take effect all at once.
The way the changes in fare-machine heights are budgeted is fairly expensive and costs more than
$300,000, Heil said. In order to make these changes happen, the cost needs to be spread out over
time.
Contact the reporter at jubaxter@asu.edu
September 17th, 2014 | Tags: Americans With Disabilities Act, Kate Gallego, Light
Rail, Matt Heil, Public Transit Department, Valley Metro | Category: Community, News