A RAIL company is using a “30-day coronavirus killer” as it looks to get back on track following the crisis.

Every single one of the 2,700 trains owned by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is being sanitised with a “powerful new virucide” on a 21-day cycle.

“Electrostatic wands” have been used around stations and “Storm virus-killer backpacks” – which were used in the NHS Nightingale Hospitals – are being used to allow staff to cover large areas efficiently.

On trains, the new virucide is applied with a microfibre cloth after the surfaces have been thoroughly cleaned and degreased. An app will tell staff when each carriage was last cleaned.

The Argus:

The company, which runs the Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express trains, has ordered 1,000 no-touch hand sanitisers for staff and passengers.

As the lockdown continues, people are advised to “stay alert” and avoid public transport unless absolutely necessary.

GTR has said it is taking these stringent precautions to “provide another layer of protection for passengers who do need to travel such as key workers and staff who are valiantly supporting the national effort on the front line”.

The Argus:

Engineering director Steve Lammin said: “Since the outbreak of this pandemic, we have been doing all we can to protect our passengers and staff by ensuring our trains, and stations have enhanced cleaning regimes and a switch in focus to high-touch areas and the increased use of anti-viral agents.

“We are now using a product that will kill coronavirus for up to 30 days and we are applying this to surfaces across our network on a 21-day cycle.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund