Workers Clear Debris From 469 Subway Stations, Riders Want It Done More Often
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There has been a new effort to clean subway tracks and reduce track fires, and train delays.
CBS2 first told viewers about 'Operation Track Sweep' two weeks ago, and took another look at the progress on Friday.
As CBS2's Brian Conybeare reported, MTA board members got an update on the two-week effort to clean trash and debris from tracks at all 469 stations citywide.
Five-hundred workers removed 20,776 garbage bags from 1,153 sections of track. A grand total of 311, 640-lbs of debris was carted away.
"It used to be a lot worse than what it is right now, that's for sure," Christian Sarnelli said.
The difference was noticeable at Whitehall Street Station in Lower Manhattan, where huge vacuum trains came through.
All of the straphangers at Whitehall Street said they absolutely noticed a difference. The tracks are cleaner than they were two-weeks-ago, but they want to see it done more often.
"Absolutely, they should continue to do it, because it's safer, it's cleaner, and it smells better," Linda Hamilton said.
MTA Board Vice Chairman Fernando Ferrer said they have been prevented from performing such a cleanup more often due to limited resources.
Three new vacuum trains hit the tracks next year to help and in December, workers will get new portable track vacuums that they can use from subway platforms.
As for the other disgusting messes underground -- like walls with muck coming down and the smell of urine -- can those problems be attacked too?
"That's what our station cleaners do on a daily basis," Ferrer said. "Still not as good as I'd like to see it, and our riders would like to see it, but we're doing our part."
The MTA has posted signs urging everyone to do their part as well.
"Peple have to remember that the subways are for people and not a garbage can," MTA board member Charles Moerdler said.
So please use garbage cans and not the tracks.
