With temperatures across New England reaching or exceeding 90 degrees with high humidity and poor air quality, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) held a press conference on June 18 to update riders about the agency’s response to the record setting weather event.
“As we all know and feel, a heat advisory is in effect across the region through the end of the week. We want customers to stay hydrated and fully informed when using the system,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. “We are using all 10,000 digital screens, the MTA website and all social media channels to keep customers updated in real time, and we encourage sign-ups for text and email alerts in the event of weather impacts.”
“All of the MTA network can be affected by high heat, from tracks and signals to customer waiting areas above and below ground, to critical infrastructure like communications rooms and power equipment” said MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer.
When temperatures reach 100 degrees, it is possible for the welds in rail lines to develop “kinks” which is prompting the MTA to dispatch heat patrols across Metro North and Long Island Rail Road tracks to proactively search for potential heat damage. Power transmission facilities will also see increased inspections.
The MTA noted that it has a 99 percent reliability rating air conditioning equipment in all busses, trains, and subway cars, and would be increasing inspections to maintain that standard.
