New York Lawmakers Call on MTA to Fix Broken Subway Escalator

A group of New York lawmakers is calling on the MTA to make good on its promise to fix a broken escalator at the East Broaday F stop in Manhattan.

This group includes Assenbly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Borough President Gale Brewer, Councilmember Margaret Chin and state Senator Daniel Squadron. 

Senator Squadron says the escalator at the East Broadway F stop has been out of service for 18 months. He says the elderly and disabled have suffered for too long without the accomodations they deserve.

"It is a delay that means that seniors, parents with strollers, anyone else who has trouble getting around is being locked out of the transit system. That is unacceptable." 

Senator Squadron says the escalator was supposed to be fixed by Spring 2013. But he says the completion date has been pushed back two times since then.

The MTA blames the delay on a series of factors, including having to devote resources to repairing Superstorm Sandy damage. The agency's website says repairs are now expected to be completed by the end of February.