MTA Begins UV Light Pilot to Kill Coronavirus On Trains, Buses and In Stations

The MTA is now experimenting with a way to kill the coronavirus on trains and buses using ultraviolet light.

It will set up shoe-box sized UV lights on both ends of a train or bus once it's entered the yard for the night. Workers will mount the lights on a tripod and they flash for several minutes. A scientist from Columbia University says, in the laboratory, this is effective at killing all viruses and bacteria. 

“We believe this is a big deal for the MTA for our customers, our employees and the future of our system,” said MTA Chairman Pat Foye.

The MTA has purchased 150 of these lights for $1 million. The next phase of the pilot will be to use them on the Long Island Railroad and Metro-North.