A pop-up sauna has appeared on the London Underground, highlighting the extreme temperatures commuters face during a record-breaking heatwave. The installation, created by electronics retailer Currys, was set up in an out-of-service carriage at Walthamstow Pump House Museum.
Commuters compare Tube to sauna
New research commissioned by Currys reveals that 80% of commuters find the temperature on the Underground unbearable, while 76% say it is more uncomfortable than sitting in a hot sauna. Around two-thirds (67%) worry about arriving at work visibly sweaty.
According to travellers, the hottest Tube lines are the Central line (37%), followed by the Northern line (23%) and Victoria line (22%). Subterranean temperatures regularly exceed 30°C, and passengers are often advised to avoid travel unless necessary.
Currys brings comparison to life
Julia Gater, senior buyer at Currys, said: 'Anyone who has travelled on the Tube during a heatwave knows the feeling. The moment the doors close, it can feel like stepping into a sauna.' She added: 'When we discovered that three in four Londoners think travelling on the Tube without air conditioning is even more uncomfortable than sitting in a hot sauna, we wanted to bring that comparison to life in a way that would make people smile while highlighting just how extreme summer commuting can become.'
Gater noted that while Currys cannot cool down the Central Line, they offer a range of home wellness products, including cooling devices, to help people unwind and recharge.
