Now, travel by a germ-free SETC bus

Now, travel by a germ-free SETC bus

Air Quality Index Will Be Kept Below 50

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:03.04.2021

You can now travel to a destination in the state this summer in a germ-protected State Express Transport Corporation bus. The SETC has upgraded 20 airconditioned buses in Chennai, installing multi-stage air filters and disinfection systems using Ultraviolet Controlled (UVC) sterilization to prevent the entry of virus, bacteria and other microorganisms.

Official data shows of the 340 AC SETC buses, around 200 were operated now during the lockdown with an average occupancy of around 65%.

With summer approaching, demand for AC buses is expected to increase, but most passnegers, particularly senior citizens, still fear to travel in them because of the fear of being infected with Covid-19, said a senior SETC official. “So, we held talks with a private firm to launch a pilot project in 20 buses. Accordingly, UV-based air filters, each costing approximately ₹40,000, have been fitted to make them free from germs,” he added, requesting anonymity. The multi-stage filtration kits, attached to existing AC grills of buses, have ionisation combined UVC sterilizers, photocatalyst, filter mesh and fresh air device. The sterilization set-up generates UV rays (of appropriate wavelength), which destroy the molecular structure of DNA or RNA in the cells of microorganisms which try to enter the bus and make them unable to multiply. When a microorganism can’t multiply, it is considered dead and is no longer infectious.

While the photocatalyst and filter mesh ensure they absorb larger microorganisms, other components ensure that fresh air is recirculated. This not only reduces harmful gases and odour but also reduces travel fatigue, he added. Health experts suggest that the Air Quality Index (AQI) value should be less than 50 and anything more than 100 is considered unhealthy or hazardous.

During a trial run, the private firm claimed that the AQI was reduced from759 microorganisms per cubic metre to 33 microorganisms per cubic metre in standard operating conditions after 25 minutes of deep purification. An air quality monitor is fit in the driver’s cabin to monitor AQI, temperature and humidity levels.