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New York Today: The Land of Squeaky-Clean Subway Cars New York Today: The Land of Squeaky-Clean Subway Cars
(about 3 hours later)
Updated, 8:18 a.m.
Good morning on this rainy Tuesday.Good morning on this rainy Tuesday.
In a corner of Queens, the subway cars smell of lavender.In a corner of Queens, the subway cars smell of lavender.
Walls are wiped of graffiti and grime. Poles are de-boogered. Seats are left sparkling.Walls are wiped of graffiti and grime. Poles are de-boogered. Seats are left sparkling.
Welcome to the New York City Transit Corona Maintenance Facility, where subway cars come to be deep-cleaned.Welcome to the New York City Transit Corona Maintenance Facility, where subway cars come to be deep-cleaned.
“You see that shine coming through?” asked Corey Skinner, a cleaner, on a recent morning while scrubbing rust off the doors of a 7 train. “We call that bright work. We take a lot of pride in that.”“You see that shine coming through?” asked Corey Skinner, a cleaner, on a recent morning while scrubbing rust off the doors of a 7 train. “We call that bright work. We take a lot of pride in that.”
I recently traveled to the transit depot to answer a question that has been on my mind since my very first subway ride: How does the M.T.A. clean the subway cars?I recently traveled to the transit depot to answer a question that has been on my mind since my very first subway ride: How does the M.T.A. clean the subway cars?
The process, I found out, demands tenacity, a full body suit and gallons upon gallons of Fabuloso.The process, I found out, demands tenacity, a full body suit and gallons upon gallons of Fabuloso.
Unlike the subway tracks, which are cleaned with giant battery-powered vacuums, or the platforms, which are occasionally power-washed, subway car interiors are cleaned by hand.Unlike the subway tracks, which are cleaned with giant battery-powered vacuums, or the platforms, which are occasionally power-washed, subway car interiors are cleaned by hand.
Mr. Skinner, 47, walked us through the steps. We watched as he wiped windows, scraped gum, erased graffiti and cleaned dancers’ footprints off the ceiling — with care and special tools.Mr. Skinner, 47, walked us through the steps. We watched as he wiped windows, scraped gum, erased graffiti and cleaned dancers’ footprints off the ceiling — with care and special tools.
“The doors are like wood,” he said as he carefully polished them with a Doodlebug scrub brush and a Chicopee wipe. “You got to get into the grain of the door, so it pulls up all the rust and corrosion.”“The doors are like wood,” he said as he carefully polished them with a Doodlebug scrub brush and a Chicopee wipe. “You got to get into the grain of the door, so it pulls up all the rust and corrosion.”
Our eyes began to water.Our eyes began to water.
“That’s the bleach,” he said. Or perhaps at fault was the deodorizer, the steel cleanser or a Genie Wipe, used to erase graffiti and powerful enough to “peel the skin off your fingertips,” Mr. Skinner said.“That’s the bleach,” he said. Or perhaps at fault was the deodorizer, the steel cleanser or a Genie Wipe, used to erase graffiti and powerful enough to “peel the skin off your fingertips,” Mr. Skinner said.
The cocktail of chemicals is needed to rid the cars of the residue of thousands of commuters and kill some of the more than 1,688 micro-organisms — most of them harmless — that a recent study found germinating in the subway.The cocktail of chemicals is needed to rid the cars of the residue of thousands of commuters and kill some of the more than 1,688 micro-organisms — most of them harmless — that a recent study found germinating in the subway.
This top-to-bottom scrub happens every two and a half months or so, during the car’s regularly scheduled maintenance, at one of 13 facilities around the city.This top-to-bottom scrub happens every two and a half months or so, during the car’s regularly scheduled maintenance, at one of 13 facilities around the city.
Once a month, the trains are washed and scrubbed on the outside.Once a month, the trains are washed and scrubbed on the outside.
We can attest that the work drastically improves the subway cars’ appearance, which has slightly declined over all during the last year, according to the M.T.A.’s data.We can attest that the work drastically improves the subway cars’ appearance, which has slightly declined over all during the last year, according to the M.T.A.’s data.
Maybe it was the cleaning fumes, but the freshly polished seats looked particularly inviting. We even grabbed a polished pole, without worry, for the first time.Maybe it was the cleaning fumes, but the freshly polished seats looked particularly inviting. We even grabbed a polished pole, without worry, for the first time.
It takes three and a half hours for a cleaner, working alone, to get a subway car this clean, Mr. Skinner told us.It takes three and a half hours for a cleaner, working alone, to get a subway car this clean, Mr. Skinner told us.
It’s solitary work, done overnight, he said, and it can sometimes feel like a Sisyphean task.It’s solitary work, done overnight, he said, and it can sometimes feel like a Sisyphean task.
“I take the 7 train to work, so a lot of times I see what I’m about to get,” he said.“I take the 7 train to work, so a lot of times I see what I’m about to get,” he said.
The train he was polishing was almost ready. Before it returned to the city’s greasy tangle of tracks, he took a moment to walk us though the cars and admire his handiwork.The train he was polishing was almost ready. Before it returned to the city’s greasy tangle of tracks, he took a moment to walk us though the cars and admire his handiwork.
“I love that smell,” he said.“I love that smell,” he said.
Here’s what else is happening:Here’s what else is happening:
You’ll also be getting a wash: on again off again showers are on tap today.You’ll also be getting a wash: on again off again showers are on tap today.
Today’s high: 45.Today’s high: 45.
The rain continues through tomorrow afternoon, when the sun will finally reappear and bump the mercury up to 61.The rain continues through tomorrow afternoon, when the sun will finally reappear and bump the mercury up to 61.
• When the L train shuts for repairs early next year, it will transform the streets in Lower Manhattan into the busiest bus route in the country. [New York Times]
• Bronx residents oppose Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to build a jail in their neighborhood, fearing it will undo decades of hard work and triumph. [New York Times]• Bronx residents oppose Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to build a jail in their neighborhood, fearing it will undo decades of hard work and triumph. [New York Times]
• A jury in New York will hear the story of a South African crime lord and the team of former military men he hired to do his dirty work. [New York Times]• A jury in New York will hear the story of a South African crime lord and the team of former military men he hired to do his dirty work. [New York Times]
• Marcus Molinaro, a Republican and the Dutchess County executive, has announced his bid for governor. [New York Times]• Marcus Molinaro, a Republican and the Dutchess County executive, has announced his bid for governor. [New York Times]
• As Richard A. Carranza steps into his new position as schools chancellor, we take a look at some of the biggest issues he will face. [New York Times]• As Richard A. Carranza steps into his new position as schools chancellor, we take a look at some of the biggest issues he will face. [New York Times]
• Mayor de Blasio signed an executive order requiring that the mayor approve the appointment or removal of the head of the Department of Investigation for the city’s school system. [New York Times]• Mayor de Blasio signed an executive order requiring that the mayor approve the appointment or removal of the head of the Department of Investigation for the city’s school system. [New York Times]
• Pamela Harris, a Brooklyn assemblywoman who was indicted in January on fraud and corruption charges has resigned. [New York Times]• Pamela Harris, a Brooklyn assemblywoman who was indicted in January on fraud and corruption charges has resigned. [New York Times]
• Frustrated drivers flooded social media with complaints about New York City’s decision to retain parking rules on an unusually slushy spring day. [New York Times]• Frustrated drivers flooded social media with complaints about New York City’s decision to retain parking rules on an unusually slushy spring day. [New York Times]
• Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency at the New York City Housing Authority and ordered a monitor to oversee repairs to the agency’s deteriorating buildings. [New York Times]• Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo declared a state of emergency at the New York City Housing Authority and ordered a monitor to oversee repairs to the agency’s deteriorating buildings. [New York Times]
• Mayor de Blasio hinted at a “vacancy fee” for landlords who leave their storefronts vacant in an attempt to receive top-dollar rent. [Curbed NY]• Mayor de Blasio hinted at a “vacancy fee” for landlords who leave their storefronts vacant in an attempt to receive top-dollar rent. [Curbed NY]
• Did you know that in 1981 the M.T.A. introduced a fleet of white subway cars in a futile attempt to combat graffiti? [Untapped Cities]• Did you know that in 1981 the M.T.A. introduced a fleet of white subway cars in a futile attempt to combat graffiti? [Untapped Cities]
• The One Book, One New York program, aimed at bringing New Yorkers together to read the same book, wants you to cast your vote to determine which book will be next. [Staten Island Live]
• More than 50 British tourists, most of them teenagers, were hospitalized in Washington over the weekend after getting sick in New York, officials said Monday. [New York Post]• More than 50 British tourists, most of them teenagers, were hospitalized in Washington over the weekend after getting sick in New York, officials said Monday. [New York Post]
• Unsurprisingly, Yankees fans outnumber Mets fans in the city, a new Quinnipiac Poll shows. [AM New York]• Unsurprisingly, Yankees fans outnumber Mets fans in the city, a new Quinnipiac Poll shows. [AM New York]
• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “Matzo for Birds”• Today’s Metropolitan Diary: “Matzo for Birds”
• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing.• For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing.
• A production of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” by the Public Theater’s Mobile Unit at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in St. Albans, Queens. 1 p.m. [Free]• A production of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” by the Public Theater’s Mobile Unit at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center in St. Albans, Queens. 1 p.m. [Free]
• Two short documentaries about the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Marching to Freedom Land” and “Martin Luther King Jr.: We Shall Overcome,” are screened at the Stapleton Library in Staten Island. 6 p.m. [Free]• Two short documentaries about the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “Marching to Freedom Land” and “Martin Luther King Jr.: We Shall Overcome,” are screened at the Stapleton Library in Staten Island. 6 p.m. [Free]
• “Queer Insider: How to Survive Putin’s Russia,” a discussion with Lyosha Gorshkov at the Tompkins Square Library in the East Village. 6 p.m. [Free]• “Queer Insider: How to Survive Putin’s Russia,” a discussion with Lyosha Gorshkov at the Tompkins Square Library in the East Village. 6 p.m. [Free]
• Enjoy a concert of classical music at Columbia University in Morningside Heights. 6 p.m. [Free]• Enjoy a concert of classical music at Columbia University in Morningside Heights. 6 p.m. [Free]
• Learn how to fix your bicycle at a bike repair class at La Plaza Cultural Community Garden in the East Village. 6:30 p.m. [Free]• Learn how to fix your bicycle at a bike repair class at La Plaza Cultural Community Garden in the East Village. 6:30 p.m. [Free]
• Yankees host Rays, 4 p.m. (YES). Nets at 76ers, 7 p.m. (YES). Islanders host Flyers, 7 p.m. (MSG+2). Rangers at Devils, 7 p.m. (MSG+, MSG2). Phillies at Mets, 7:10 p.m. (SNY). Knicks host Magic, 7:30 p.m. (MSG).• Yankees host Rays, 4 p.m. (YES). Nets at 76ers, 7 p.m. (YES). Islanders host Flyers, 7 p.m. (MSG+2). Rangers at Devils, 7 p.m. (MSG+, MSG2). Phillies at Mets, 7:10 p.m. (SNY). Knicks host Magic, 7:30 p.m. (MSG).
• Alternate-side parking remains in effect until Thursday.• Alternate-side parking remains in effect until Thursday.
• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.• For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide.
You now know how to clean a subway car, but what about your apartment?You now know how to clean a subway car, but what about your apartment?
With spring in the air, it’s time to rotate your mattress, empty out your refrigerator and face those really tough decluttering decisions. (Will I wear these cutoff shorts again? Do I keep this old printer?)With spring in the air, it’s time to rotate your mattress, empty out your refrigerator and face those really tough decluttering decisions. (Will I wear these cutoff shorts again? Do I keep this old printer?)
We can’t give you advice on whether it’s time to replace your bath mat, but as you begin to tidy up, here are a few other spring cleaning resources.We can’t give you advice on whether it’s time to replace your bath mat, but as you begin to tidy up, here are a few other spring cleaning resources.
The New York Times put together a smarter guide to cleaning your living space. Some pro tips include: advice on cleaning a burned pot, how to make a tightly tucked hospital corner for your bed, and a list of some of the best cleaning supplies.The New York Times put together a smarter guide to cleaning your living space. Some pro tips include: advice on cleaning a burned pot, how to make a tightly tucked hospital corner for your bed, and a list of some of the best cleaning supplies.
This Q. and A. with the guide’s author offers extra advice on dealing with dirty roommates, managing pet hair, and the tasks that every clean person does every day.This Q. and A. with the guide’s author offers extra advice on dealing with dirty roommates, managing pet hair, and the tasks that every clean person does every day.
If you live in a tiny apartment, here are some tools to make cleaning easier.If you live in a tiny apartment, here are some tools to make cleaning easier.
You can also clean with foodstuffs like ketchup, softened butter and wine — and while you’re looking for cleaning supplies in the refrigerator, consider giving it a deep clean.You can also clean with foodstuffs like ketchup, softened butter and wine — and while you’re looking for cleaning supplies in the refrigerator, consider giving it a deep clean.
And here are a few apps that can help you manage your checklist.And here are a few apps that can help you manage your checklist.
Think you’ve crossed off everything? Here are five things you probably missed.Think you’ve crossed off everything? Here are five things you probably missed.
New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here.
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What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday.What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday.
Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter.
You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com.You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com.