Convo Access Pilot Program for Live ASL Interpretation at Subway, Metro-North, and LIRR Stations

Photo: Marc A. Hermann / MTA

Pilot Launched Through the Transit Tech Lab to Transform How Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Riders Use the Transit System

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced a pilot program to connect people who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing with an instant and on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter while using the transit system. Convo Access is a mobile smartphone and web-based application that allows users to scan a QR code, connect with a live interpreter and chat with an MTA employee about service changes, payment, or anything regarding their journey.

The pilot, which is free to use for all customers, was initially deployed at Penn Station, Times Square, and Port Authority. Those locations achieved a 94% activation rate, with users reporting enhanced personal connections and more natural interactions with transit staff. The deployment follows a successful initial Transit Tech Lab proof of concept. The Transit Tech Lab is a public-private initiative created by the MTA and the Partnership Fund for New York City to make New York transit more accessible, responsive, and efficient.

Convo Access will be at the following locations: 

NYC Transit Customer Service Centers:

• 161 St-Yankee Stadium ​​​B, D, 4

• Atlantic Av-Barclays Ctr ​​​​​​​​​B, D, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4, 5

• Times Sq-42 St ​​​​​​​​N, Q, R, W, 1, 2, 3, 7

• Jackson Hts-Roosevelt Av ​​​​E, F, R, 7

• St. George ​SIR

Long Island Rail Road

• Atlantic Terminal

• Babylon

• Grand Central Madison

• Jamaica

• Penn Station

• Ronkonkoma

Metro-North Railroad

• Grand Central Terminal

• White Plains

Additional Locations

• Mobile Sales Operations (buses and vans)

• 3 Stone Street 

The Convo Access Pilot will run through at least November 2025. Users can submit questions or feedback through the Customer Feedback Form or email accessibility@mtahq.org.

In 2023, the MTA and the Transit Tech Lab introduced NaviLens and NaviLens GO, free smartphone apps that translate visual information into accessible formats. When users scan a NaviLens code in a subway station or at a bus stop, the app will read out information like train or bus arrival times, real-time elevator status, and information about in-station features to transform how blind and low-vision riders use the transit system.