Thanks to the intense heat "dome" currently enveloping us, at least 13 of the MTA's beloved countdown clocks have been taken down for the count! But which ones?
As of 2 p.m. the MTA tells us not to expect to find out when the next train is coming at these stops:
Spring Street (6)
Intervale (2)
Park Place (2,3)
191st Street (1)
145th Street-Lenox (3)
Clark Street (2,3)
Utica Ave (4)
Gun Hill Road (2, 5)
86th Street/Lex (4)
79th Street (1)
77th Street/Lex (6)
59th Street-Columbus Circle
145th Street (1)
The MTA explains the situation like this: “In certain subway stations, when we experience several days of hot weather, temperatures can exceed 120 degrees in the communications rooms that hold the equipment that drive the countdown clocks. We are constantly monitoring temperatures and working to install cooling systems in impacted communications rooms. We know our customers have come to rely on the “next train arrival” information and we apologize for the inconvenience and ask for their patience as we work to resolve this issue.”
So basically the clocks brains are located in very, very hot equipment rooms and are overheating (especially in underground stations). Which is to say, don't be too surprised if a few more of the clocks installed in more than a hundred stations across town go out before this heat breaks. At least they should be back in action when it cools down? And the MTA assures us that in the meantime their techs are working hard to bring them back online (and keep them that way) as soon as possible.
