Amtrak is honoring the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law on July 26, 1990 by taking significant steps to improve the travel experience for passengers with disabilities. Amtrak has taken input from station owners, stakeholders from the disability community & state & federal officials on how to improve the experience for customers with disabilities. Amtrak has developed trip planning ideas, instructions on how to purchase tickets, improved station access & on-board services tailored to people dealing with a disability. Since the law was enacted, Amtrak has been making upgrades & improvements to its facilities, including work on platforms, ramps, sidewalks, entranceways, restrooms & seating. Amtrak presidents & CEO Joe "All Aboard" Boardman blasts, "Passengers with disabilities represent a large & growing share of Amtrak ridership & we're proud of our role as an important means of transportation." Some of the new projects on tap include enhancing mobility by installing audible & visual passenger information displays, installing or rebuilding ticket counters & ensuring accessible pathways between the parking lot, station building & platform. Amtrak is the ONLY mode of intercity transportation that offers discounts for passengers with disabilities & their companions. In fact, from 2010 to 2014, Amtrak saw its ridership by passengers with disabilities increases by 50%! I feel I speak for all of us here in our Golden Triangle when I say, that we're all very blessed & proud to be on the mainline of Amtrak & the infamous Empire Builder!

More From KSEN AM 1150