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The city is looking at ways to make transit cool after six ETS drivers had to leave work early this year because of the heat.

On average, 20 sensors placed on buses and LRT cars last summer found temperatures were 6C to 9C higher inside than outside, which a new report says can lead to warm trips on the 42 days annually Edmonton sees plus 24C weather.

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“Commuters may experience a hot and uncomfortable trip when temperatures are high, which can act as a deterrent to using public transit.”

But the vast majority of transit vehicles don’t have air conditioning, according to the report requested last summer by Coun. Amarjeet Sohi, the former ETS driver elected last week as Liberal MP in Edmonton Mill Woods.

The equipment cools passenger areas in 57 of 94 LRT cars and two hybrid buses, while DATS vehicles and 46 community service buses have air conditioning in the driver’s compartment only. There’s no A/C on the other 884 Edmonton Transit buses.