NFI Parts' Protective Air and Surface Purification (PASP) system is being used on Go Transit and Valley Transit buses in the US state of Wisconsin.
The NFI Group subsidiary says its PASP units create advanced purification by producing high energy clusters.
These are distributed throughout the interior of the vehicle, safely sanitising air and surfaces - and leaving behind substantially less harmful residue.
The unit is mounted directly in the passenger compartment, allowing for deactivation of viruses as they are introduced into the vehicle, the company adds.
"Our PASP system disinfects without downtime or additional cleaning during service," says Brian Dewsnup, president at NFI Parts.
"Once it has been installed and the vehicle is running, it continuously disinfects while the vehicle is on the road. Unlike many other technologies implemented in response to the pandemic, operating this technology while the bus is in operation is not harmful to passengers and drivers.”
The company says testing carried out at the University of Florida confirmed the technology deactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19.
According to NFI, the technology has also been tested in operation in a stationary mass transportation vehicle environment where surface bacteria levels were reduced to almost non-detectable levels and VOC (volatile organic compounds) air quality measurements were reduced by almost 96%.
"It not only deactivates the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is also effective on other viruses, bacteria, mould, fungus, VOCs, mildew and odours, making the experience of public transportation more comfortable and appealing,” Dewsnup continues.
"The bar for cleanliness has been raised over the course of the last 11 months; equipping fleets with the latest technology will assist in maintaining this new standard and restoring rider confidence that the onboard air and surfaces are cleaner with this system installed."
Go Transit operates on a fixed route system in the city of Oshkosh while Valley Transit runs throughout the Fox Cities – a group of cities, towns and villages along the Fox River.
Ron McDonald, general manager at Valley Transit, says: "The unit running while buses are on the road, paired with daily cleaning crews and new driver barriers, covers all bases."
NFI is not alone in its effort to purify the air on US buses. Last month, the City of Turlock's Transit division in California installed air filtration devices in the driver’s area of buses to minimise exposure to the coronavirus.
