Although the ongoing pandemic has forced many employers to turn to remote work, some industries have continued to operate, particularly public transportation. One of the most popular modes of public transport is buses, known for their affordability and flexibility. But a primary concern is how to keep buses clean while operating during COVID-19.

Employees that do not have the luxuries of working from home or driving their own vehicle continue to rely on buses for their commute, but how can they stay safe by doing so? With strict social distancing protocols still in place, the number of passengers allowed on buses is limited, but limited capacity is not enough.

Cleaning and Disinfecting the Bus

According to the Centers for Disease Control, these are best practices for bus cleaning, disinfecting, and keeping everyone on board as safe as possible during the pandemic:

  • Individuals must wear disposable gloves when cleaning and other available personal protective equipment.
  • Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces at the beginning and end of each shift and between transporting passengers who appear visibly sick.
  • Clean hard, non-porous surfaces such as hard seats, armrests, door handles, seat belt buckles, light, and air controls, doors and windows, and grab handles with detergent or soap and water before disinfecting
  • Recommended disinfectants include the EPA’s registered antimicrobial products, diluted household bleach solutions, and alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol.
  • Follow cleaning and disinfecting procedures consistently and correctly.
  • Allow for sufficient ventilation on the bus when chemicals are in use.
  • For soft or porous surfaces such as fabric seats, remove visible contamination, clean with appropriate cleaners, and finish with the EPA’s registered antimicrobial products specifically for porous surfaces.

Onboard Safety

Regarding bus transit operators’ safety, they need to wear an N95 respirator or facemask, along with a face shield or goggles, as long as those do not interfere with driving. As for the safety of passengers, they must continue to wear facemasks or cloth face coverings. The CDC recommends making foot-traffic single direction in narrow or confined areas in the bus to encourage single-file movement at a 6-foot distance. Placing hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol in multiple locations throughout the bus is also recommended. As always, avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands and stay home if you experience any of the following symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Chills
  • Sore throat

Contact Us

Integrity Janitorial Cleaning Services offers janitorial cleaning services and  COVID-19 Deep Cleaning Services. If you believe a passenger with COVID-19 symptoms recently boarded your bus and are interested in professional cleaning, schedule a free consultation with us by filling out this form. We welcome your inquiries and are here to help!