Independent laboratory results show that Southern trains – which include those on the Uckfield Line – are testing negative for Covid-19 more than three weeks after being treated with a long-lasting viruscide.
Operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) randomly selected carriages from all of its fleets up to 23 days after carriages were treated with the long-lasting viruscide.
Swabs were then taken from areas in the train carriages frequently touched by passengers and staff – such as grab rails, tables, toilet handles, door buttons and the driver’s power-brake controllers which are in constant use.
Microbiological tests
The laboratory microbiological tests showed there was no presence of Covid-19 on any of the surfaces tested.
Chief Operating Officer Steve White said: “We are carrying out a comprehensive testing regime of our trains to ensure that our customers can travel with confidence.
“Passengers can be reassured that the long-lasting viruscide we’re using, more than 100 extra cleaners and hospital-grade cleaning products are working. Please follow the government advice and wear a face covering.”
Intensive cleaning
GTR, since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been using Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing to prove that its intensive cleaning regime is working, keeping microorganisms at bay.
The long-lasting viruscide is part of a series of measures to keep passengers safe, that include, across trains and stations:
- 100 extra cleaning staff at work: 40,000 extra labour hours in three months to enhance the cleanliness of our stations, trains and staff areas.
- All 2,700 carriages across Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express are sanitised overnight using specially-procured short-term anti-viral sprays, with a focus on touchpoint
- New techniques – high-pressure dry steam and microfibre units are used for enhanced cleaning. Bleach fogging is used for decontamination where someone has been confirmed as having Covid-19