Sussex Rail Operator Claims Its Thameslink and Southern Trains Are Coronavirus-Free

Monday, 16 November 2020 13:27

By John Warburton @Warblefly

One of the main railway operators in Sussex has claimed recent laboratory tests show swab samples from its trains have tested negative for the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19.

Swab samples taken from Southern and Thameslink trains (and Great Northern trains, owned by the same company) showed no signs of the virus over three weeks after being treated with a long-lasting viruscide.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said randomly selected carriages from all eight of its train fleets up to 23 days after carriages were treated.

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.

According to the railway operator, which commissioned the 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."

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 operator said the chemical is part of a series of measures it believes will keep passengers safe.

They 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 touchpoints
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

Scientists in the latest set of lab tests also searched for the pathogens Staphylococcus Aureus (which can cause pneumonia, food poisoning and skin infections), and E Coli (which can give rise to food poisoning).

Both are very common, carried on people's hands, and persistent on hard surfaces.

They found only negligible, entirely safe, levels — even on toilet door handles.

GTR said the company continues to offer support and reassurance for passengers travelling during lockdown.