MTA pilots UVC technology to kill virus

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) this week will introduce ultraviolet C (UVC) light technology to kill COVID-19 on trains and at rail stations in New York City.

The technology is part of a pilot program MTA launched with PURO Lighting to demonstrate the efficacy of UVC technology to kill viruses on subways and buses, MTA officials said in a press release.

The first phase of the pilot will focus on using UVC to eradicate COVID-19 on rolling stock, stations and yards at Corona, Coney Island, Jamaica and Pelham. Occupational facilities, including maintenance areas, crew rooms, operations and technology centers and offices, will also be included in the pilot. 

MTA will deploy 150 dual-headed miniaturized UVC lamps to its transit personnel.

After evaluating the technology’s use on MTA New York City Transit, the pilot will expand to MTA Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad.

Meanwhile, TransLink last week implemented its Safe Operating Action Plan to keep riders safe as the economy "restarts" in British Columbia, agency officials said in a press release. 

The plan includes increased cleaning and sanitization on SkyTrain cars, limiting fare gate access to help manage the number of riders and restoring SkyTrain service to add capacity and promote social distancing.

Other U.S. and Canadian passenger-rail agencies are resuming some service as stay-home restrictions are lifted. The following are the latest updates by agency:



• The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority on June 1 will increase Tri-Rail commuter-rail service by adding more trains into the schedule to accommodate hourly service during weekday peak hours.
• VIA Rail Canada Inc. on June 3 will resume some train service on its Toronto-Kingston-Montreal and Toronto-Kingston-Ottawa routes. The railroad also announced its service between Prince Rupert, Prince George and Jasper will resume in July following completion of infrastructure work by CN.