Buy bus and subway drivers their own heaters so they don't crank the heat up to 90 on the rest of their vehicles when it gets cold, Bostonia Rantida suggests.
...I was on the 39 this evening, and as is the case about half of the time, the fans were on full which made the complete lack of heat even more...pleasant. Nothing like spending 20 minutes at a bus stop that's windy and below freezing, only to get on a bus that's slightly above freezing, but still has the wind.
Oh, also- I don't know about subway cars, but on the busses, they probably use engine coolant to at least partially heat the passenger compartment. That's heat that would otherwise go out the radiator. Not wasted.
Temperature control on the T has been a pet peeve of mine for a while - particularly on the Green Line. The operators must be made to understand that just because THEY are cold, doesn't mean that we are, particularly when we each have six of our closest rider buddies leaning up against us (as opposed to sitting in the driver's seat with 3 feet of "suburban-style private space" around us). The sheer mass of people (all of whom are dressed for the wait for the T - not the ride) generates more than enough heat to get the temperature to a tolerable level (fresh air is still required, btw).
The problem is actually far worse in the summer. The operator decides that no A/C is required because s/he is enjoying the nice 74 degree morning, as a nice breeze is flowing through his/her OPEN window. Meanwhile, those of us in the back (still each of us being leaned on by six of our buddies) are sweating our butts off.
It comes down to the same thing I say all the time. As between warmer or cooler, areas where lots of people have to work together should be made cooler. For one thing, people tend to be more calm when it is cool (and we need to have people as cool as possible when dealing with the T), and second, if you're cold, you can always throw on another layer. The alternative of me tearing my shirt off or breaking one of the windows on the T is just not going to be a pleasant experience for anyone.
they could stop locking the doors on the green line's ticket shelters (they aren't really for sheltering passengers, just to keep the computers warm/cool) in the OPEN position on cold days!
Maybe the T should consider actually turning off the AC and turning on the heat. I walk nearly a mile to Ashmont station in all weather, wait outside for a train to pull into the station, then hope hope hope it's not going to be as miserable in the car as it is outside it. Usually, it's just as cold (or feels colder because I'm no longer burning calories) as it is outside! I have a 40-minute ride, and I dread it because it isn't just cold, it's BLOWING cold. Just like standing outside. I shouldn't be cold sitting on the train with my winter jacket zipped all the way up to my chin. It's ridiculous.
Comments
funny...
By Brett - 11/20/08 - 12:00 am
...I was on the 39 this evening, and as is the case about half of the time, the fans were on full which made the complete lack of heat even more...pleasant. Nothing like spending 20 minutes at a bus stop that's windy and below freezing, only to get on a bus that's slightly above freezing, but still has the wind.
Oh, also- I don't know about subway cars, but on the busses, they probably use engine coolant to at least partially heat the passenger compartment. That's heat that would otherwise go out the radiator. Not wasted.
Turn DOWN the Damn Heat!
By issacg - 11/20/08 - 11:16 am
Temperature control on the T has been a pet peeve of mine for a while - particularly on the Green Line. The operators must be made to understand that just because THEY are cold, doesn't mean that we are, particularly when we each have six of our closest rider buddies leaning up against us (as opposed to sitting in the driver's seat with 3 feet of "suburban-style private space" around us). The sheer mass of people (all of whom are dressed for the wait for the T - not the ride) generates more than enough heat to get the temperature to a tolerable level (fresh air is still required, btw).
The problem is actually far worse in the summer. The operator decides that no A/C is required because s/he is enjoying the nice 74 degree morning, as a nice breeze is flowing through his/her OPEN window. Meanwhile, those of us in the back (still each of us being leaned on by six of our buddies) are sweating our butts off.
It comes down to the same thing I say all the time. As between warmer or cooler, areas where lots of people have to work together should be made cooler. For one thing, people tend to be more calm when it is cool (and we need to have people as cool as possible when dealing with the T), and second, if you're cold, you can always throw on another layer. The alternative of me tearing my shirt off or breaking one of the windows on the T is just not going to be a pleasant experience for anyone.
another way
By anon (not verified) - 11/20/08 - 7:05 pm
they could stop locking the doors on the green line's ticket shelters (they aren't really for sheltering passengers, just to keep the computers warm/cool) in the OPEN position on cold days!
just a thought.
freezing on the trains!
By anon (not verified) - 11/25/08 - 2:37 pm
Maybe the T should consider actually turning off the AC and turning on the heat. I walk nearly a mile to Ashmont station in all weather, wait outside for a train to pull into the station, then hope hope hope it's not going to be as miserable in the car as it is outside it. Usually, it's just as cold (or feels colder because I'm no longer burning calories) as it is outside! I have a 40-minute ride, and I dread it because it isn't just cold, it's BLOWING cold. Just like standing outside. I shouldn't be cold sitting on the train with my winter jacket zipped all the way up to my chin. It's ridiculous.