纽约皇后区纪实报报道称，阿斯托利亚附近，两个百年历史的地铁站，因更新维护的需要，自10月23日起暂停使用，这引起了当地居民的极大不满。市议员Costa Constantinides称第三十大道和第三十六大道的地铁站因美化工程需停用8个月的时间，这对客流及出行问题都丝毫没有缓解，是“地铁系统功能失调的表现”。大都市运管部门则回应称，提高出行便利程度“是首要解决的问题”，并将在需要的场所安装电梯设备。信源指出纽约市为残障人士设置无障碍设施的地铁站不足25%。

　　QUEENS SUBWAY WORK CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF ELEVATORS

　　A pair of 100-year-old subway stations in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, were closed on October 23 for renovations, but the work came under fire from critics who said the project sorely needed elevators, the Queens Chronicle reported. City Councilman Costa Constantinides said the eight-month shutdowns at the 30th Avenue and 36th Avenue stations for cosmetic work, while not addressing accessibility issues, are "indicative of the overall dysfunctionality of the subway system." The Metropolitan Transportation Authority responded that improving accessibility "is a priority," and elevators are being added where possible. The source noted that less than 25% of the city's subway stations are accessible to people with disabilities.