Honolulu testing air purification systems and UV light treatment on transit vehicles

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) are testing two eco-friendly air and surface purification systems in a few in-service vehicles.

TheBus and TheHandi-Van will be testing the NFI.Parts Air and Surface Purification System, as well as the United Safety Active Air Purification with RGF Photohydroionization® PHI Technology. Both systems intake air from within the vehicle, pull the air through a germicidal UV light and expel naturally occurring hydro-peroxides that kill germs, microbes, viruses and bacteria in the air and on surfaces.

The city and county notes that independent studies have shown that low-level hydro-peroxides are safe for all passengers, but are effective against SARS, MERS and COVID viruses. These technologies have been installed in medical facilities, food establishments, office buildings and are now being installed in public transit vehicles on the mainland.

“We are exploring every system available to keep our buses and vans clean to keep our riders and employees safe,” said Jon Nouchi, Director, DTS. “This technology has been used in buildings and we are now testing it to see how effective it is in our vehicles.”

Roger Morton, Oahu Transit Services (OTS) president and general manager stated, “Our staff has been proactive in recommending solutions and we are doing all we can to keep our city public transportation system safe.”

OTS will test these systems on select buses and vans that will be identified by the Active Purification System decals.