New York MTA testing new technology for hard-of-hearing passengers

New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is testing a program to connect people who are deaf or hard of hearing with an on-demand American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter while riding the New York City Transit subway, Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.

Riders scan QR codes with their phones to access the Convo Access program, MTA officials said in a press release. It is free to use.

MTA launched the pilot project, which will run at least through November, at the Penn Station, Times Square and Port Authority stations. Those locations achieved a 94% activation rate. Convo Access is now being added to additional locations.

"Delivering a solution for customers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to have direct communications with MTA employees is a great enhancement to the customer experience," said MTA Chief Accessibility Officer Quemuel Arroyo.

MTA this week also rolled out new safety announcements that were recorded by "Saturday Night Live" actor Kenan Thompson. The announcements, which remind passengers to pay fares and not ride outside of cars, are being played in more than 400 subway stations this week as part of a promotion for SNL's 50th anniversary special to be aired on Feb. 16.