NEWS RELEASE

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 05, 2012

67th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY

CONTACT: Nicholas E. Smith, 212.873.6368 or 347.471.5841 smithn@assembly.state.ny.us

ASSEMBLYMEMBER LINDA B. ROSENTHAL URGES MTA TO USE TUNNEL FANS TO COOL SUBWAY PLATFORMS IN LETTER TO MTA CHAIRMAN
New York, NY - Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) has written to Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Joseph Lhota, urging that the MTA begin cooling down the Citys hottest subway stations by using tunnel fans that are installed in tunnels in the system. Subway stations throughout New York City routinely reach unbearable temperatures, well above 90 degrees, during the hottest days of summer. These temperatures pose serious health risks to passengers of all ages, including senior citizens who are most vulnerable in such sweltering conditions. Passengers are routinely forced to wait for their trains in temperatures that are often ten degrees hotter than the temperature outside, said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, who sits on the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, which handles matters related to the MTA. It is puzzling that the MTA has failed to consistently use fans to cool these stations, when the fans are already installed. Without use of the fans, commuters will continue to be subject to dehydration and even heat stroke. NY1 reported today that the MTA has giant tunnel fans in its system, but has not been using them during the recent heat wave. Tunnel fans are typically used to clear stations of smoke in case of a fire, but in the past several years, the MTA has used these fans to cool down stations on the hottest days of the year. According to NY1, the MTA rarely uses them to keep passengers cool, which can pose a health risk to riders of all ages. While I understand that the MTA cannot do anything about the high temperatures associated with the summer months, if these fans were turned on during the peak summer months, it would greatly alleviate the suffering of passengers. Since these fans are already installed, it should not be an inconvenience to do so, said Assemblymember Rosenthal. The letter that Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal sent to MTA Chairman Joseph Lhota is attached. Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal represents the Upper West Side and parts of Clinton/Hell's Kitchen in Manhattan ###

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