Phew... passengers are really feeling the HEAT
TEMPERATURES reached a sweltering 35 degrees on public transport as temperatures soared in Greater Manchester the M.E.N. has found.
The region is currently basking in a heatwave where temperatures outside are as high as 28C.
However the sweltering weather made the evening commute even more torturous than normal.
We boarded packed trains, trams and buses the during last night’s rush hour with our trusty thermometer for an almost scientific experiment to check just how unbearable each mode of transport was.
We used both a digital one and a traditional mercury indoor thermometer throughout his ordeal which culminated in a bus journey from the city centre to south Manchester during which our thermometer recorded 35 degrees.
Here are the results in full:
TRAM
We boarded a Metrolink service from Manchester Victoria to St Peter’s Square.
The digital thermometer read 33.5C whilst the mercury on the second was showing 32.5C.
The tram was not that busy and with the windows open a gentle breeze was blowing through.
Passengers could expect this to increase during the rush hour and bosses say they have put up displays asking people to come prepared
Transport for Greater Manchester’s Head of Metrolink Danny Vaughan, said: “We’ve been using our various channels to encourage people to carry water and have been ensuring all windows on the trams are open. With the forecast looking equally warm for the coming days we’d ask all commuters to ensure they’re wearing appropriate clothing and are carrying fluids.”
TRAIN
We took a Northern train from Manchester Victoria to Moston.
During the short journey our digital thermometer began to creep up reaching a maximum of 34.7C. Whilst the manual gauge was showing more than 33C.
Despite the current ongoing disruption to the Northern services, this was a two-carriage train and was not particularly busy. So again it could reasonably expected to be even stuffier in rush-hour.
BUS
This was the hottest mode of transport according to our results.
We boarded a fairly busy 256 Stagecoach service from Piccadilly Gardens to Flixton, getting off in Hulme, south Manchester. And remarkably, during the short journey, the digital thermometer at one point showed the temperature had climbed above 35C, peaking at 35.2C. Whilst the manual gauge also reached its highest, around 34.2 degrees.
The M.E.N. has informed Stagecoach and Northern of the results and asked for comment.
Buses are said to be susceptible to heating up quickly due to the large number of windows, providing a ‘greenhouse’ effect.
There is no legal requirement for rail providers to monitor temperatures and in 2013 the rail lobby group Passenger Focus and trade unions said it was ridiculous temperatures were in place for the transportation of farm animals and demanded passengers be afforded the same rights.