Aug 4, 2008 9:01 am US/Eastern
Not So Cool: 'E' Train Riders All Hot & Bothered
New Report Shows Miserable Conditions Aboard Some 'E' Train Subway Cars
Reporting
Jay Dow
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
During the sweltering heat, commuters often find relief in a cool subway car. But a new report shows riders on one line often ride without air conditioning, making for an unbearable commute.
The city's subway riders sure are playing it cool in this summer heat, with one exception, the 'E' train.
"It's really hot…sweltering, like a tropical country," said one unidentified New York City resident speaking about the 'E' train's notoriously hot train cars.
The NYC Transit data shows that an impressive 97.3 percent of all subway cars passed with a refreshing temperature of 78 degrees of lower. But 17 percent of the cars on the 'E' line were a downright toasty 88 degrees or higher.
That's 88 degrees in a small subway car surrounded by other hot people. It can be a rather "unpleasant" experience.
"The 'E' train has problems…it's overfilled, it's hot, it's dirty," said Queens resident Kenny Villani.
So what gives? The E's elderly cars, many built in the mid 1960s, can't keep up with the demand for cool air. It's a small blip on an otherwise glowing system-wide report card.
NYC Transit officials say air-conditioning remains a high priority.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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