Trains are kept ‘Covid-free’ by long-lasting virus killer
TRAINS have been made free of any Covid traces due to new cleaning methods – meaning passengers can ‘travel in confidence’, rail operators say.
Carriages on some of the country’s major rail networks showed no coronavirus presence over three weeks after being treated with a long-lasting disinfectant, independent lab tests found.
GTech Strategies took swabs from the areas most often touched by passengers and staff – such as rails, tables, toilet handles, buttons and power-break controllers – on all eight of Govia Thameslink Railway’s train fleets, including Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern services.
The microbiological tests showed no Covid-19 on any of the surfaces up to 23 days after being disinfected with adenosine trophosphate – the maximum time between applications.
GTR said carriages were sanitised overnight with anti-viral sprays, with steam used for enhanced cleaning.
‘We are carrying out a comprehensive testing regime of our trains to ensure that our customers can travel with confidence,’ said GTR’s chief operating officer Steve White. ‘Passengers can be reassured that the long-lasting viruscide we’re using, more than 100 extra cleaners and hospital-grade cleaning products are working.’
But he also urged rail travellers to ‘follow the government advice and wear a face covering’.
A separate study last month found trains and buses were more hygienic than cafes, supermarkets and hotels.