US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

42 U.S.C. § 12142

Public entities operating fixed route systems

(a)

Purchase and lease of new vehicles

section 12132 of this titlesection 794 of title 29It shall be considered discrimination for purposes of and for a public entity which operates a fixed route system to purchase or lease a new bus, a new rapid rail vehicle, a new light rail vehicle, or any other new vehicle to be used on such system, if the solicitation for such purchase or lease is made after the 30th day following , and if such bus, rail vehicle, or other vehicle is not readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.

(b)

Purchase and lease of used vehicles

section 12132 of this titlesection 794 of title 29Subject to subsection (c)(1), it shall be considered discrimination for purposes of and for a public entity which operates a fixed route system to purchase or lease, after the 30th day following , a used vehicle for use on such system unless such entity makes demonstrated good faith efforts to purchase or lease a used vehicle for use on such system that is readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.

(c)

Remanufactured vehicles

(1)

General rule

section 12132 of this titlesection 794 of title 29Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be considered discrimination for purposes of and for a public entity which operates a fixed route system—
(A)
to remanufacture a vehicle for use on such system so as to extend its usable life for 5 years or more, which remanufacture begins (or for which the solicitation is made) after the 30th day following ; or
(B)
to purchase or lease for use on such system a remanufactured vehicle which has been remanufactured so as to extend its usable life for 5 years or more, which purchase or lease occurs after such 30th day and during the period in which the usable life is extended;
unless, after remanufacture, the vehicle is, to the maximum extent feasible, readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities, including individuals who use wheelchairs.
(2)

Exception for historic vehicles

(A)

General rule

If a public entity operates a fixed route system any segment of which is included on the National Register of Historic Places and if making a vehicle of historic character to be used solely on such segment readily accessible to and usable by individuals with disabilities would significantly alter the historic character of such vehicle, the public entity only has to make (or to purchase or lease a remanufactured vehicle with) those modifications which are necessary to meet the requirements of paragraph (1) and which do not significantly alter the historic character of such vehicle.

(B)

Vehicles of historic character defined by regulations

section 12148(b) of this titleFor purposes of this paragraph and , a vehicle of historic character shall be defined by the regulations issued by the Secretary to carry out this subsection.

Pub. L. 101–336, title II, § 222104 Stat. 339(, , .)

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

section 231(b) of Pub. L. 101–336section 12141 of this titleSection effective , see , set out as a note under .