New York MTA moves forward with ultraviolet pilot for disinfecting full trains

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is piloting ultraviolet disinfecting technology across entire train sets.

The pilot was initially focused on identifying ways to eradicate COVID-19 in rolling stock, including car classes R188, R62, R46, R68, and R160 at Corona, Coney Island, Jamaica and Pelham Maintenance Shops. Rolling out full spectrum Ultraviolet (including germicidal UV-C, UV-B and anti-bacterial UV-A) to pilot on full train sets marks the latest progress in the MTA's efforts to clean and disinfect its more than 6,500-car fleet.

"We continue to move full speed ahead with our efforts to explore any and every idea that might help keep our system safe during these challenging times," said Senior Vice President for Subways at New York City Transit Sally Librera. "Ultraviolet technology is one of many outside-the-box ideas we're pursuing to disinfect the system. I look forward to continuing to expand this pilot and learning more about how ultraviolet technology can best help us moving forward."

MTA says ultraviolet light is an efficient, proven and effective technology for eliminating viruses, including SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.

As part of the proof-of-concept, the MTA requested that Dr. David Brenner, director, Center for Radiological Research, Columbia University, gain access to their containment laboratories at biosafety level three for the purpose of testing the efficacy of miniaturized UV lamps to kill COVID-19. Last month, Dr. Brenner reported the demonstrated test of ultraviolet efficiently killed the virus that causes COVID-19.

This pilot is another step the MTA has taken in its disinfecting effort to keep employees and customers safe by disinfecting the entire system every 24 hours. MTA says the health and safety of the its employees and customers continues to be the agency’s top priority.