Every New Yorker knows that when the temperatures start soaring, the subway system’s underground stations become oppressive furnaces. TikTok user jackistryinghisverybest measured the 20-degree spike in heat between the platform and the outdoors with an infrared thermometer on Wednesday. The MTA is taking some action to keep subway riders cool, but don’t expect air conditioning any time soon.
Torrential rains earlier this week cooled the city down to around 73 degrees as seen in the video. Air-conditioned subway cars are also roughly the same temperature. However, the subways retain heat far too well. When the thermometer is put to any surface inside the station, the temperatures leap up to 93 degrees. In some places, surfaces reach 100 degrees.
It’s not just a passenger comfort problem but a service issue. The scorching heat is brutal enough to impact operations. Last month, digital information screens were unavailable to passengers looking for their trains. Segments on two lines lost third rail power and suffered signaling issues, according to amNewYork.
The MTA, the city’s subway operator, experimented with installing platform air conditioning in 2000, but the project was abandoned after testing proved it would only reduce the heat a few degrees below ambient. Newer stations feature cooling towers that have a far greater impact. However, it was estimated that installing towers system-wide would cost $5 billion. It’s another case of the subway needing funding for improvements and the government unwilling to raise the funds.