Let me preface this by saying, I absolutely hate air conditioners. I've never had one in my house while growing up and while I have one in my dorm, I almost never use it. Put on shorts and open a window is my philosophy.

Now, in fairness for the subway being air conditioned, I imagine that may be a health concern, if that's the correct way to describe it. I take the Subway to class on a daily basis and even I, young and fairly fit, have felt myself feel short of breath waiting on the train platform in the heat. I'd imagine there are a lot of people young and old who for health or age reasons have trouble with that extreme level of heat. It would be great if there was a way to promote the airflow underground without cranking the AC.

In my opinion, the subway isn't the worst of it. It's the tons and tons of buildings in NY which crank the AC to the extent that it is frigid. In one of my classes in particular I have to wear a jacket even when it's 80 degrees outside because inside it is so cold. That is just ridiculous and unnecessary.