What is the MTA doing for you?

 “Our top priority during the coronavirus pandemic is keeping essential workers, our own employees, and anyone else still riding with us healthy and safe. To do this, we’re ramping up our cleaning procedures for subway trains and stations, buses and Access-A-Ride. Frequent touchpoints on subway cars, buses, and Access-A-Ride vehicles will be disinfected every 24 hours.  ” 🚇🚌 The MTA

🕐 This cleaning process is a 24/7 operation. The MTA has drastically increased the number of cleaners working throughout the system overnight while subway stations are closed, between 01:00-05:00 AM. In addition they are testing new cleaning technologies, in order to provide users with the most thorough and effective disinfecting process.

So HOW do they actually clean? 🧼

MTA crews remove trash, clean spills and biohazards, spot-clean seats, floors, and other surfaces, and disinfect common touchpoints;  Using disinfectants that are Environmental Protection Agency registered.

MTA is testing new ways to clean and disinfect more efficiently and working with technical advisors to do it.  Here are some examples:

“Antimicrobial biostats: Because the specific strain of virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces for a long time, we’re testing ways to prevent germs from taking hold and growing in our facilities. Antimicrobial biostats are materials that create a protective layer on surfaces and prevent microbes from growing. We’re conducting tests and applying these after we disinfect surfaces in train cars and buses, stations, and crew quarters.

Ultraviolet light: UV light is an efficient, proven way to eliminate viruses—it’s used in hospitals, too. We’re testing UV light on our vehicles and other fixed locations, like break rooms and operations centers. We’re working with Columbia University and a UV technology startup to make mini UV lights we can easily move around.

Electrostatic sprayers: An electrostatic sprayer positively charges a disinfecting solution, atomizes it, and disperses it in tiny particles across a negatively-charged surface. The “opposites attract,” and the atomized disinfecting solution spreads out evenly across the entire surface, even hard-to-reach areas. We’re testing these out on subways and buses.

Innovative air filters: We’re launching a 30-day pilot to test innovative new air filters on several car classes to examine if they effectively kill microbes. We’ve also increased the frequency of subway air filter replacements to every 36 days, from every 72 days.”

• You must cover your nose and mouth with a covering or mask
• Clean your hands often, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Use soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Avoid crowds when you can. If you can commute at less busy times, or wait for a less crowded train or bus, do that.

Here’s more from the Centers for Disease Control.  

See the MTA guide to traveling safely.

More COVID updates HERE 

Safe Travels, 

The Moovit Family