GWR and SWR trial new ‘virucidal’ sanitiser in cleanliness battle during the pandemic

• Operators reminds customers that if you need to travel by train wear a face covering
• Travel outside of peak where possible and use the GWR app or a smart card for your ticket, companies warn

The South West’s leading train operators GWR and South Western Railway have announced the trial of a powerful sanitising treatment which kills 99.99% of viruses and bacteria on surfaces for extended periods of time.

The special treatment is sprayed inside train carriages overnight building to a fog which coats all surfaces and is proven to fight against viruses and bacteria for up to 28 days. The trial is the latest addition in the operators’ already enhanced cleaning regimes to make travel on its networks as safe as possible for customers and staff.

The treatment is environmentally-friendly, uses no alcohol or dangerous chemicals.

Download video footage of the trial taking place.

The trial comes in the midst of the further easement of lockdown restrictions, and the introduction of mandatory face coverings, from Monday 15 June.

GWR Interim Managing Director Matthew Golton said:

“For those who need to travel, we are doing everything we can to carry as many people, safely, as we can. This new trial is just one example of that, helping those who do need to travel to do so with confidence.

“But please do help us by planning ahead, travelling, where possible, at quieter times, and wear a face covering to keep yourself and our staff safe.”

GWR is asking customers to do all they can to follow social distancing guidance and acknowledges that this is difficult on public transport. With the further easing of lockdown restrictions due on Monday, the train operator is asking customers to:

• Wear a face covering
• Plan ahead – check train times in advance
• Avoid peak travel times
• Buy tickets online, on Smart card or mobile

The advice follows an update to the National Rail App which indicates to people searching for a journey if a specific train or station is looking busy. It will take operational messages about busy trains and stations that are sent by frontline rail staff to control rooms and display these in passenger-friendly language on their journey planning websites and apps.

People will see a red or yellow warning triangle when they search their journey and, by clicking on it, will be able to find out more information and advice.

To minimise risks customers are also asked to wash their hands prior to and after their journey, and hand-sanitiser has been made available at GWR’s main stations. To help those who do need to travel avoid contact, food and drink will not be sold on board.

Notes to editors
Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.

We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.