Van Hollen, Cardin, Ivey Announce Over $1.3 Million to Enhance Accessibility at College Park MARC Station for Riders with Disabilities

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, and Congressman Glenn Ivey (all D-Md) announced $1,395,330 for the Maryland Transit Administration for upgrades to make the College Park MARC station on the Camden Line fully accessible to passengers with disabilities.

The renovations will include new 600-foot, low-level platforms that allow riders to board and depart easily from the station. The project also adds safety protections in and around the station that will directly meet the needs of passengers with disabilities.

“Accessible public transportation is crucial to creating inclusive communities and strengthening the state’s economy. And through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, we’re supporting transit improvements across our state to better serve Marylanders. This funding will help modernize the College Park MARC Station so all passengers and commuters can access this key transit hub with ease and get where they need to go,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Our public transportation system is for everyone and should be accessible to everyone. These critical upgrades will improve safety and provide equal access to public transportation for our MARC riders with disabilities particularly in College Park, a major transit hub for students in Maryland,” said Senator Cardin. “We supported President Biden’s largest federal investment in public transit ever, and it continues to deliver the resources that improve transportation infrastructure across the state.”

“Accessible public transportation is vital to Marylanders. It helps them get to work, enjoy leisure time and strengthens our economy. Improving our MARC station in College Park gives opportunities for people with disabilities to go more places and do more. I commend Senators Cardin and Van Hollen for shepherding this money it through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Equal access for all starts with making transit a real and easier option,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey.

The federal funding, made possible by the lawmakers’ work to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, was provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s All Stations Accessibility Program. The grant program supports repairing, improving, or relocating station infrastructure across the country to ensure public transportation is accessible to people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.

“Creating a safer and more accessible transportation network for all to use is the core of MDOT’s mission and this funding will help advance our efforts to build low-level platforms for riders to easily access trains as well as added safety protections,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld. “The funding further supports building an integrated, multi-modal hub in College Park that will connect the MARC Camden Line station to WMATA and the future Purple Line. Thank you to Team Maryland’s federal delegation for supporting this grant and our work to further connect all of our passengers to opportunities.”