LIRR service at Grand Central Madison officially started on Monday, Feb. 27, marking an exciting development for commuters. While there are plans to replace the temporary doorways between the LIRR Concourse and the Dining Concourse, there are currently multiple street-level entrances that provide direct access to Grand Central Madison. These entrances include elevators at the north side of 48th and 44th Streets, an entrance through 335 Madison to the new GCM escalators at the Biltmore Room, and entrances at 383 Madison and 415 Madison. Groundbreaking has also taken place for a new entrance at 343 Madison. Passengers can also enter through One Vanderbilt from 42nd and 43rd Streets and the Vanderbilt pedestrian way, as well as through various entrances within the main terminal.
In response to a question about expanding the NaviLens pilot program for individuals who are blind or have low vision, MTA officials shared that feedback on NaviLens and NavilensGO, along with other accessibility features, is being collected at 11 subway stations, all stops on the M66 bus route, and the M23-SBS bus route. These tools provide audio and visual guidance, as well as subway and bus status information in multiple languages. The MTA was awarded $2 million in 2023 to expand NaviLens to the entire 6 line and the Bx12 and Bx12-SBS bus routes in the Bronx. NaviLens is already installed at all Bx12 and Bx12-SBS bus stops, with work underway at 6 line subway stations.
The NaviLens pilot program has proven to be beneficial for all riders, not just those with visual impairments, by offering comprehensive wayfinding assistance and transit information. The MTA is committed to enhancing accessibility across its services and welcomes feedback from the public on these initiatives. Stay tuned for updates on the expansion of NaviLens and opportunities to provide input on the project.
