Pandemic update: STM invests in new sanitation technology

The Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) last week announced it will acquire 95 electrostatic sprayers from Dustbane to increase the efficiency of disinfecting operations across the rail system.

A STM committee — formed when the COVID-19 pandemic began to examine new solutions to improve operations — conducted disinfecting tests with electrostatic sprayers on its trains and at its stations. 

The sprayers allowed faster application and disinfection, and less movement to reach and cover surfaces, STM officials said in a press release.

The CA$176,400 procurement includes 26 backpack sprayers and 69 handheld sprayers. The sprayers will be delivered in late July and August, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Monorail last week released the passenger safety and disinfection measures it will follow once the monorail returns to service. A return date hasn’t been announced. 

Under the new measures, monorail officials will encourage contactless fare options by offering a 10 percent discount to riders who use mobile tickets. The system also will provide hand sanitizer at stations and offer disposal face masks to riders. 

In addition, monorail officials will increase how often train interiors and stations are disinfected and cleaned.

Other U.S. passenger-rail agencies are resuming some normal operations as ridership slowly ticks up. Following are the latest updates by agency:

• The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District on June 8 resumed regular service on its South Shore Line in Chicago and South Bend, Indiana. 
• Port Authority Transit Corp. on June 8 increased the frequency of weekday train service as ridership increased from 10 percent to 12 percent of normal levels in the Philadelphia region.
• On July 1, the Regional Transportation District of Denver will resume fare collection on its rail system. 
• Via Rail Canada Inc. on July 5 will resume service between Jasper, Alberta, and Prince George and Prince Rupert, British Columbia.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Transit last week opened three additional COVID-19 testing sites to its employees in Trenton, Manahawkin and Toms River, New Jersey.