Train passengers reported temperatures up to +52 °C in the carriage
Ukrzaliznytsia explained that air conditioning depends on train speed and the operation of the underfloor generator
Passengers on the «Kholm — Kharkiv» train complained about extreme heat in one of the carriages. Passenger Alla Melnychuk claims that the temperature inside could rise to +52 °C, while the air conditioning system was almost not working. The woman spoke about the situation on August 16, reports «Ukrainian News».
According to Melnychuk, before that the train had stood for a long time in Kholm under direct sunlight. The air temperature there was about +35 °C. Passengers could not properly cool the carriage, so because of the stifling heat they left the compartment and stayed in the corridor near several open windows.
The passenger noted that in her carriage only three windows could be opened. The others remained closed, and in the compartment there was no possibility to open a window. Melnychuk said that children felt unwell, they cried, and elderly people found the heat hard to bear.
Conditions were especially difficult, she said, during a long stop at the border. Due to border procedures passengers could not leave the carriage. One of the passengers measured the temperature inside — her thermometer showed +52 °C.
The author of the appeal emphasized that in such heat the issue concerns not only comfort but also passenger safety. In particular, she drew attention to the risks for children, elderly people, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and passengers with cardiovascular diseases.
In Ukrzaliznytsia they explained the situation by the technical features of the carriages. The company said that in most such carriages the air conditioning operates from an under-car generator and reaches maximum efficiency after the train accelerates above 40 km/h.
During stops or when moving at lower speeds the power of the cooling system decreases significantly. In some air conditioning systems it may turn off completely. In addition, on the Polish section of the route the train moves slowly and has long technological stops, in particular while crossing the border.
The carrier also noted that a carriage that has been heated by the sun during the day cannot be cooled in a few minutes of motion. At the same time, the provided explanation did not separately comment on the issue of closed windows.
Melnychuk urged Ukrzaliznytsia to assess the possibility of using such carriages at air temperatures of +30…+35 °C if during long stops they cannot provide passengers with acceptable conditions.
