TransLink study: Copper kills bacteria on transit surfaces

Copper is effective at killing bacteria on high-touch transit surfaces, according to a TransLink study.

Based on sample-testing performed on transit and in a lab, the TransLink trial found that select copper products on transit are durable and kill up to 99.9% of all bacteria within one hour of the bacteria’s contact with the surface, agency officials said in a press release.

In November 2020, TransLink began testing a new bacteria- and virus-killing copper coating product on high-touch surfacers on rail cars and buses.

During an initial four-week pilot phase:

• Products were installed on two SkyTrain cars on the Expo and Millennium lines and two trolley buses;
• Surfaces were swabbed and tested twice weekly to determine antimicrobial effectiveness; and
• Surfaces were assessed for durability at the end of the four-week period.

TransLink was the first North American transit agency to test copper on transit surfaces, according to the agency.