Columbia University and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) have reached a provisional agreement to significantly enhance accessibility at the 125 Street 1 subway station in Manhattan. Announced on May 8, 2026, the partnership involves a $33 million commitment from Columbia to fund crucial station upgrades.
The planned improvements for the station, which serves approximately 6,500 daily riders, include the installation of modernized elevators, widened escalators, and other system enhancements. These upgrades aim to improve the overall transit experience and accessibility for commuters in the Uptown area.
Robert Kasdin, Columbia University Senior Executive Vice President, emphasized the interconnectedness of the university and its surrounding community. "The success of Columbia and the success of the surrounding neighborhoods are closely linked—when one does well, the other does too," Kasdin said during a press conference held under the elevated station. "That’s what drives investments like this."