Commuters Say Subways Are Filthier Than Ever As Summer Heat Arrives

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- As the summer sun takes aim at the city, more and more commuters are complaining that the subway system is hot, smells, and is getting dirtier every day.

CBS2's Christine Sloan went underground for a closer look.

Riders told Sloan they are seeing more urine on the ground these days, and they said the smell in the subway system is making them sick.

"It's a little stinky," said Alexa Zaromatidis of Long Island. "Just tons of smells."

Temura Abdurrazzakov said subway hygiene is particularly poor "definitely the R Train -- we have to fix the R train."

The dirt and trash mixed in with the heat, along with the homelessness problem, has made the subway the worst it's ever been when it comes to filth – according to those who spend time on trains.

"People lying on the street; people sitting on the sidewalk with their belongings -- it's very sad," said Barbara Miller of Long Island.

But some homeless New Yorkers say they have nowhere else to go.

"The shelter kicked me out I couldn't get my bed back," said Lex Humphry.

Just this week, the City Council passed eight bills making minor offenses such as littering, public drinking and public urination civil matters instead of criminal.

City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito was a major supporter of the bills. But she did not agree that lowering the level of offense for such acts as public urination would create a dirtier city – noting that it is still illegal to pee in the subway.

"I don't think there's any proof of that. Obviously, there's a lot of people that of people that have an initial reaction," Mark-Viverito said. "It is still illegal activity. A police officer can still stop you."

And not everyone even seems to think the city is dirtier or smellier. Some say the daily sights and smells part of living in the city.

Bill Sutherland of Texas said the subway was not smelly and dirty at all, calling it "nice."

But others said conditions are so filthy in the subway that they would rather just walk.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the subway stations are cleaned and power-washed on a regular basis.

As for the homeless, an MTA spokesman referred questions to the city. Mayor Bill de Blasios office said more than $6 million has been dedicated to keeping public spaces clean this year, and said quality of life is a priority.