To improve the safety and travel experience in public transportation, Transdev subsidiary Redbus Urbano in the Chilean capital has started a pilot test of different sanitation practices in 11 buses of its fleet. These buses belong to the service 410, which connects the communes of Renca, in the northwestern sector of Santiago and Providencia, in the eastern part of the capital.
We are looking for the combination of measures that makes the trip safer and will continue to strive to achieve more effective preventive measures.
Gloria Hutt, Minister of Transportation and Communications
The inauguration, held at the Redbus Urbano terminal located in Renca, was attended by the Transportation and Communications Minister Gloria Hutt, the CEO of Transdev Chile and General Manager of Redbus Urbano Hernán Berríos, the Mayor of Renca Claudio Castro and representatives of the neighbor associations. The test includes two different elements:
- All the interior surfaces of the buses were protected with the application of an antimicrobial technology based on Copper and Zinc, which has a synergistic effect that enhances the antiviral properties of each one separately.
- Additionally, a plasma purifier was implemented in the air conditioning system to keep users and drivers away from viruses, filtering the air through a forced recirculation of the breathed air inside the bus.
The new normality implies a gradual increase of ridership, so it is necessary to take greater precautions to protect the health of our workers and passengers. We have seen that antimicrobial technologies provide a longer solution than other forms of disinfection, achieving greater efficiency in our hygiene procedures and offering a safer trip.
Hernán Berríos, CEO of Transdev Chile and General Manager of Redbus Urbano
We will continue working together with the municipality, Redbus Urbano, the Ministry of Transportation and of course the neighbors.
Claudio Castro, Mayor of Renca
During the pilot, the impact of the implementation of and the user experience will be measured through surveys inside the buses. In addition, the Directorate of Scientific and Technological Research of the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (DICTUC) will take samples of viruses and bacteria on surfaces, which will be analyzed in the laboratory in order to test the effectiveness of the technology in operation.
As users we are very happy, especially those who have to go to work or go to the hospital in Providencia. I think this is the best thing that could have happened in Renca.
Fresia Venegas, a local leader