Overnight New York City Subway Cleanings Cut to 2 Hours

Yesterday overnight subway service increased in New York City, nine months after the public transportation system shut down for four hours every night so crews could clean and disinfect the stations and trains, WABC-TV reports

Since May 6, the subway has been closed from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. EST. Yesterday overnight closures were shortened to between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials say the two-hour closure will allow crews to perform the most aggressive disinfection practices when there are no passengers present. In addition, crews will continue to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week cleaning, all 472 stations and thousands of train cars.

In the midst of the intensive subway cleanings, some contract workers are complaining they are not receiving the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to adequately perform their jobs. An interview with contract workers published on Documented alleges that cleaners were given towels, thin disposable gloves, and one mask to clean debris and vomit on  trains.

The workers also allege they were given face masks every other day instead of daily, were not paid the amount they had originally agreed upon, and were not allowed to take lunch breaks in MTA break rooms.