The uninvited guests who travel to work with you – bacteria on buses

October 4, 2013

Almost all commuters across the world have experienced an overcrowded commute to work, made worse when a fellow passenger, in close proximity, inadvertently sneezes, sending a spray of infected particles hurtling your way.  

In many cities, overcrowding of public transport is a hot topic. But what is worse is the level of bacteria, spores and infection on surfaces and in the air on every form of public transport, which for most people, is part of their day to day activity.

The unfortunate news, is that for most commuters, along with catching your preferred method of public transport, you may also catch something you were not hoping for, such as influenza, coronaviruses (eg SARS and MERS), staphylococcal bacteria (s. aureus), gastroenteritis and norovirus.  

Passengers and workers on ground transportation (buses, trains, taxis) are often exposed to unhealthy levels of CO2 concentration that are far in excess of national indoor air quality standards, and they are often exposed to unacceptable concentrations of particulate matters when their mode of transport makes stops along the way.

These nasty germs and bacteria lurking on public transport can be transmitted via a number of methods including:

• Direct contact with surfaces such as handrails, seats, internal surfaces.
• Indirect contact through the contaminated hands or unhygienic practices of fellow passengers.
• Interaction with other passengers or air contaminated during the journey.

Unfortunately for most, public transport is unavoidable. Therefore the best option would be to try to avoid the germs while riding the train, plane, buses, taxi and even your own vehicle.

Avoiding infection while riding public transportation:

• Avoid sitting next to a passenger who is clearly sick (for example, coughing or sneezing).
• Check your seat. Don’t sit in a seat that appears to be visibly dirty
• Wash your hands when you reach your destination and exit public transportation. Handrails, straps, tray tables, seat belts that are frequently touched by passengers are often contaminated with microbes and bacteria.
• Carry hand sanitizer with you.

So, what can public transport operators do about these unwelcome commuters? Transportation companies can solve these issues with Airande’s revolutionary cleaning system. Bringing together an innovation in technology with a clean, non-toxic application of H2O2 in vapourised and liquid form. The Airande system tackles air and surface contaminants and eliminates 99.99% of micro-organisms.

The Airande system provides longer lasting and greater coverage of both surface and air. It is also odour free, chemical free and eco-friendly. This safe and highly effective cleaning method will keep passengers and staff safe from infection and help keep public transport free from unwanted bacteria and germs.

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