MARTA uses electrostatic sprayers to improve cleaning in advance of increase in service

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In preparation for an increase in service frequency and ridership, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will implement using electrostatic sprayers to more easily and effectively clean its buses, trains, and rail stations.

Given to MARTA by Delta Air Lines, the 30 handheld sprayers and 20 backpack sprayers emit a fine mist of disinfectant that clings to and sanitizes surfaces without leaving a residue. Trained maintenance staff will use the sprayers instead of hand wiping down vehicles and facilities – saving hours.

“Delta’s willingness to share best practices allowed us to bypass a lengthy procurement process and gain access to this innovative cleaning technology immediately,” said MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker. “We are grateful to our friends at Delta for this state-of-the-art equipment as we work to protect the health of our customers and employees for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.”

Currently, MARTA cleans and sanitizes 500 buses per night, and disinfests high-touch surfaces on 200 buses throughout the day. The sprayers will allow cleaning crews to reduce from five minutes to one minute the amount of time it takes to clean a bus.

In addition, the backpack sprayers will allow cleaning crews to clean and sanitize a 450 foot, six-car train in under 20 minutes. Each rail car is cleaned every night. Sprayers will enable cleaning crews to clean the cars during the day as well. And handheld sprayers will help crews more frequently and more quickly clean rail stations.

“MARTA is an important partner and essential service for our community as thousands of employees and customers regularly utilize its services,” said Mike Medeiros, VP – Global Cleanliness for Delta Air Lines. “That’s why we’re proud to work with the MARTA team to share what we’ve learned about keeping customers and employees safe during travel, including sanitizing surfaces onboard aircraft before every flight and in common areas using electrostatic spraying.”

At its lowest point during the pandemic, rail ridership for MARTA was down by nearly 80 percent, and bus ridership was down by 40 percent. As people return to work and recreational activities, the transit company is anticipating that ridership will increase, creating a need for quick and efficient disinfecting of vehicles and facilities to ensure the safety of both riders and employees.

MARTA said it would also be looking into the use of other high-tech cleaning products like UV light, HVAC filters, and robotic cleaning machines.