Feb 12, 2021
Disinfecting hundreds of buses and dozens of facilities is a daunting task, especially in the midst of a pandemic. That’s why Greater Cleveland RTA continues to make investments in the latest technology to ensure the safety of riders and staff.
In October of 2020, seven Ryobi Electrostatic Sprayers were purchased by GCRTA.
The devices use an EPA-approved disinfectant that can kill the Coronavirus in just 10 minutes. What makes the Electrostatic Sprayers unique, however, is the chemistry that is used to make the disinfect cling to the surface. While your typical spray bottle just shoots droplets of water onto surfaces that often drip off in seconds, these Electrostatic Sprayers use ionic charges to help the droplets cling to surfaces and offer 360 degree coverage of things like handles and railings.
“They’re great,” said Glen, the Equipment Manager at the Hayden District. “They’re so effective,”
“Since the disinfectant is applied so thoroughly and clings to surfaces longer, it is much more effective at killing viruses,” Glen says.
This means that less disinfectant is used since the Electrostatic Sprayers are so efficient.
“Normally it would take us a good twenty minutes to clean and sanitize a bus,” Glen says. “With these that time is cut in half.”
These sprayers carry one gallon of a disinfectant solution and are very simple to use. Cleaners start at the back of the bus and work their way spraying and walking backwards to the front of the bus, spraying all surfaces (including seats and upholstery). Every bus in the facility is disinfected every day.
Once the disinfectant is sprayed it leaves no residual nor smell. This makes it safe for the employee using the Electrostatic Sprayer and also ensures riders won’t feel any residual or liquid on surfaces they might touch.
These are also used throughout the facility in places like break rooms, offices, and common areas keeping employees safe.
“The Electrostatic Sprayers are a game-changer and we are lucky to have them,” says Glen.
