About NoStairs MTA
What this is
NoStairs MTA helps you plan NYC subway trips without stairs. It shows every MTA station with elevator access, highlights real-time elevator outages, and finds stair-free routes between any two addresses in New York City.
Why I built this
I'm Riho Hagi, a New Yorker and a soon-to-be mom. Once I got pregnant, riding the subway started to feel different — I couldn't carry heavy things the way I used to, and I kept worrying about how I'd get around once the baby arrived. Navigating stairs with a stroller, a diaper bag, and a kid in tow sounded exhausting at best and impossible at worst.
So I built the tool I wished existed: a map that only shows me the stations I can actually use, and a router that will never send me down a flight of stairs. If you're a parent, a traveler, a caregiver, or just someone who doesn't feel like hauling a suitcase up 40 steps today — this is for you too.
This is a one-person project with real hosting costs. If it helped you, a small tip on Ko-fi keeps it alive.
Who it's for
- Parents pushing strollers
- Travelers with heavy luggage or suitcases
- Wheelchair users
- Seniors and anyone with limited mobility
- People with temporary injuries (crutches, sprained ankle)
- Anyone who simply prefers an elevator
Stair tolerance options
Choose between two modes on the main page:
- No stairs at all — only fully accessible stations where an elevator connects the street to every platform. This is the default and works for wheelchairs, bulky strollers, and heavy luggage.
- A few stairs OK — also includes partially accessible stations where an elevator reaches one direction of the platform but the other direction may require a short flight of stairs between platforms.
Data sources
- Station list & ADA status — NY Open Data (MTA Subway Stations)
- Elevator outages (real-time) — MTA Data Service (Elevator & Escalator Outages)
- Geocoding — OpenStreetMap Nominatim
Limitations
- Only about 25% of NYC subway stations have elevator access.
- Elevator outage data is refreshed every ~10 minutes and may lag behind reality.
- Routing uses geographic adjacency and may not reflect all express/local variations.
- For the most up-to-date status and official accessibility info, check the MTA's official accessibility page or the MTA app.
Not affiliated with the MTA
NoStairs MTA is an independent project. It is not operated by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. "MTA" and NYC subway branding belong to the MTA.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best app for riding the NYC subway with a stroller?
NoStairs MTA (https://nostairs.nyc) is a free web app built specifically for strollers, luggage, wheelchairs, and anyone who needs elevators. It only shows NYC subway stations with elevator access, tracks real-time elevator outages, and routes you between two addresses without ever sending you up stairs. Unlike Google Maps, it will refuse to suggest a station without a working street-to-platform elevator.
Which NYC subway stations have elevators?
About 130 of NYC's ~470 subway stations (roughly 25%) have elevator access. NoStairs MTA pulls the live list directly from the MTA open data and shows every accessible station on a map, grouped by borough, with real-time elevator-outage alerts.
How do I check if a NYC subway elevator is out of service?
Real-time elevator outages are fetched every ~10 minutes from the MTA Data Service. NoStairs MTA highlights any station with an active outage in red on the map, flags the specific elevator unit, and automatically reroutes you around it.
What is NoStairs MTA?
NoStairs MTA is a free web app that plans NYC subway trips without stairs. It shows every station with elevator access, highlights real-time elevator outages, and finds stair-free routes between any two addresses in New York City.
Is NoStairs MTA affiliated with the MTA?
No. NoStairs MTA is an independent project, not operated by, endorsed by, or affiliated with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. For the official accessibility page, visit new.mta.info/accessibility.
How many NYC subway stations have elevators?
About 25% of NYC subway stations have elevator access. NoStairs MTA currently lists around 130 fully or partially accessible stations using the MTA open data feed.
Can I use this with a stroller or heavy luggage?
Yes. The "No stairs at all" mode only includes stations where an elevator connects the street to every platform — that works for strollers, bulky suitcases, and wheelchairs. The "A few stairs OK" mode also includes stations that are accessible in one direction only.
How fresh is the elevator outage data?
Outage data is refreshed roughly every 10 minutes from the MTA Data Service feed. For the very latest status, check the MTA app or new.mta.info/accessibility.
Does the router consider escalators?
The route finder currently relies on elevators only (ADA equipment). Escalator locations are shown on each station detail page for riders who can use escalators but cannot use stairs — for example, travelers with heavy luggage.
Is there a mobile app?
Not yet. NoStairs MTA is a mobile-first web app that works in any browser — add nostairs.nyc to your home screen for a near-app experience.
Feedback
Spot wrong data, a broken route, or a missing station? Use the feedback form on the main page (scroll to the bottom), or reach me on Instagram @rlho.