Southern trains test negative for coronavirus
Services have been treated with a long-lasting viruscide
One of West Sussex's main train operators has claimed its trains have tested negative for traces of coronavirus, following laboratory tests.
Swab samples taken from Southern and Thameslink trains (and Great Northern trains, owned by the same company) showed no signs of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 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.
GTR's 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:
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.