MTA New York Metropolis Transit President Demetrius Crichlow with MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber at a Dec. 19, 2024 press convention on the 14th Avenue station on the 1/2/3 traces in Greenwich Village.
Marc A. Hermann / MTA
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With the coldest temperatures of the season about to hit the Metropolis, winterizing the subway system is precedence primary.
It’s a crew effort to maintain tens of millions of New Yorkers transferring by way of deep freezes, which is why I’d prefer to highlight a number of of the Subways Division’s 30,000 workers who come to work daily, in all types of climate, to guard your commute.
Trains can’t transfer if the rails are iced up and switches are frozen. To maintain service working easily, observe upkeep groups – just like the one led by Basic Superintendent Iftakar Yakatally — are on the job 24/7 preserving the system secure, working each gasoline and electric-powered heaters in essential sections of observe to forestall ice buildup.
We even have superpowered snow-throwing trains able to go on elevated traces, in addition to de-icing vehicles with particular scraping “shoes” to take away any frost accumulation. These sneakers are added to our income fleet every time an enormous storm is within the forecast. Leaders like Basic Superintendent Niall Maguire and Supervisor Brandon Velasquez oversee these efforts, with operators like Dennis Marino and Jason Desatnick on the wheel.
Switches and alerts are particularly weak within the bitter chilly. They’re managed by supervisors like Henry Corbin and Patrick Soodeen, who hold these essential methods in good situation. I began my profession as a sign maintainer, so this type of work – which is essential however not often seen by the general public — is near my coronary heart.
New Yorkers are extra acquainted with our preparations at subway stations. Supervisor Angel Lugo’s crew is expert at dashing salt and sand to stairs and elevated platforms so prospects can safely board with out concern of slipping, whereas cleaners like Fabio Oberosler hold passages clear with snowblowers and chipping away cussed blocks of ice.
All these actions are ruled by a complete chilly climate plan, spearheaded by leaders like Erika Shaub and Robert Turner. Each winter we refine and excellent this plan to be prepared for each eventuality. It’s no straightforward activity contemplating there are 842 miles of observe together with rail yards, greater than 6,000 subway vehicles, and 472 stations to safeguard, however the ladies and men of New York Metropolis Transit at all times ship.
Whenever you full your journey safely this winter, know that 1000’s of devoted workers labored exhausting to make sure that you reliably received the place you wanted to go journey after journey.
Demetrius Crichlow is MTA New York Metropolis Transit president.
