Germ-Killing Push-Plates
ETS, in collaboration with a local biotechnology company, Outbreaker Solutions, is excited to pilot innovative germ-killing push-plates that are being installed on entrance and exit swing doors at some transit centres and LRT stations. To date, push-plates have been installed at the following LRT stations: Bay/Enterprise Square, Central, University, Health Sciences/Jubilee and Southgate, as a way to further enhance safety on transit for passengers and staff. The push-plates are flat and are made of highly compressed salt. They look and feel just like a ceramic tile. The push-plates can be used to manually push open a door.
The company has published their research that shows the push-plates are effective in killing the majority of germs, including viruses, bacteria and fungi in just a few seconds, due to the salt crystals piercing the membrane walls of the germs, effectively neutralizing them.
This pilot project will last until summer 2021, is at no cost to taxpayers and is a great example of how local innovation can support enhanced safety on transit.
Germ-killing LRT Seats
In early 2021, new germ-killing seats were installed on two-thirds of the LRT fleet (the newer train models). These seats have an additive in the plastic that can reduce up to 99.9 percent of germs (i.e. bacteria, fungus and viruses) within 2 hours. This additive is a one-time application that is incorporated into the plastic and is not a coating. It should last the entire life of the seat.
