Independent laboratory results show that Southern, Thameslink and Great Northern trains are testing negative for Covid-19 over three weeks after being treated with a long-lasting viruscide.

Operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) randomly selected carriages from all eight of its train fleets up to 23 days after carriages were treated with the long-lasting viruscide. 

Swabs were then taken from areas in the train carriages frequently touched by passengers and staff - such as grab rails, tables, toilet handles, door buttons and the driver's power-brake controllers which are in constant use.

The laboratory microbiological tests showed there was no presence of Covid-19on any of the surfaces tested. 

Chief Operating Officer Steve White said: "We are carrying out a comprehensive testing regime of our trains to ensure that our customers can travel with confidence. Passengers can be reassured that the long-lasting viruscide we're using, more than 100 extra cleaners and hospital-grade cleaning products are working. Please follow the government advice and wear a face covering."

GTR, since the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic, has been using Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) testing to prove that its intensive cleaning regime is working, keeping microorganisms at bay.

The long-lasting viruscide is part of a series of measures to keep passengers safe, that include, across trains and stations:

·         100 extra cleaning staff at work: 40,000 extra labour hours in three months to enhance the cleanliness of our stations, trains and staff areas.

·         All 2,700 carriages across Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express are sanitised overnight using specially-procured short-term anti-viral sprays, with a focus on touchpoints

·         New techniques - high-pressure dry steam and microfibre units are used for enhanced cleaning. Bleach fogging is used for decontamination where someone has been confirmed as having Covid-19

GTR continues to offer support and reassurance for passengers travelling during lockdown as identified in this press release.