The AC Turned Off Early?

October 12, 2008 subwayblogger3 Comments

I feel like the air conditioning on a lot of subway trains was turned off too early.

Honestly, I have no idea how the AC works on the trains. Don’t know if there is a thermostat or what, but I feel like the AC was cut. Seems to happen every year.

There was a bit of a cold snap a week ago, so there wasn’t much need for too much AC. So I think it was cut off on many trains. Then late last week, it warmed up again, but the AC wasn’t turned back on.

It really gets oppressively hot when theirs no air on the trains. The heat is one thing, but then it feels like the oxygen in the air is getting thing. Kind of a panic situation if you are at all claustrophobic.

Nostalgia Train to Run to Shea for Final Game

September 26, 2008 subwaybloggerLeave a comment

The nostalgia subway train ran to Yankee Stadium for the final game, but did you know that it is also the final season for Shea Stadium? Haha. Yankee Stadium is stealing spotlight bigtime.

Anyway, the MTA is going to run the nostalgia train out to Queens for the final Mets game at Shea Stadium.

The MTA sent me a press release with the details.

Fans, along with NYC Transit officials, will board the 7 train from the 42nd Street/Times Square Station shortly after 11 a.m. and arrive at Willets Point/Shea Stadium at around 12 noon. A fitting way to pay tribute to the long standing stadium and the train that serviced it for 44 years.

Upon arrival at Willets Point, fans will be greated jams from the MTA’s Music Under New York program. Yeah, Willets Point isn’t “under ground” but whatever, the music will be good.

So if you’ve never had a chance to ride the nostalgia train, now’s you chance. Actually, it is probably the best time to hit because it is cool outside. The nostalgia train has no air conditioning, so riding in the summer is a very sweaty experience.

Photo Credit

NYCT Reports Most Subway Cars Well Air Conditioned

August 4, 2008 subwayblogger8 Comments

According to the MTA, most subway cars are well air conditioned.

Well, ok then. Thanks for letting me know…I guess?

Wait, wait. Did they just guess at that? Of course not. They commissioned a full scale study. Transit officials inspected 2,666 train cars throughout the system. Of them, 73 cars failed.

It appears that the pass/fail mark was 78 degrees. Personally, I think that is a little toasty, but manageable. That’s certainly better than some trains over 88 degrees!

The E train had the worst score, which is not a surprise at all because they are the oldest trains.

So I’m left wondering why a study was needed. I mean, sure it probably gives you an official looking number when you’re done, but it doesn’t really fix anything.

The MTA should be studying what would improve the a) reporting and b) repairing of overheating cars.

I guess you can just see which cars have no AC because they are usually empty! However, I doubt if riders report overheated train cars. Air conditioning, along with other general repair needs should be easily reportable, but they aren’t. I mean you could call 411 I guess, but who has time for that?