Every New Yorker Knows that when temperatures start to rise, the subway system’s underground stations become sweltering furnaces. TikTok users jackistryhisverybest measured a 20-degree temperature increase between the platform and the outdoors using an infrared thermometer on Wednesday. The MTA is taking a number of steps to keep subway riders cool, but Don’t expect air conditioning anytime soon.
It’s pouring rain. Earlier this week, the city’s temperature dropped to around 73 degrees, as shown in the video. Air-conditioned subway cars were similarly warm. But the subways were too good at retaining heat. When a thermometer was placed on any surface inside the station, the temperature soared to 93 degrees. In some places, the surface reached 100 degrees.
This is not only a matter of passenger comfort but also a service issue The scorching temperatures were severe enough to affect operations. Last month, digital information screens were unavailable for passengers looking for their trains. Sections on two lines lost third-rail power and experienced signal problems, according to amNewYork.
MTA, The city’s subway operators have been experimenting with installed air conditioning system on the platform in 2000, But the project was scrapped after testing showed that it only reduced temperatures by a few degrees below ambient. Newer stations have cooling towers that have a much greater impact. However, it is estimated that installing towers across the entire system would cost $5 billion. This is another case of the subway need funding to improve and the government does not want to raise capital.
