ECJ EUROPEAN Cleaning Journal

Cleaners on the TransPennine Express train network in the UK have used more than 168,000 litres of cleaning solution - enough to fill 557 baths - in the past 10 months to keep their trains Covid-safe, according to the company.

The network's 150 "Sanitation Busters" have also used more than 2,233km of cleaning tissue, which if rolled out would stretch from Edinburgh to Paris and back.

And TPE claims its heightened cleaning protocols have amounted to the equivalent of 22 years' cleaning in just 10 months as the operator strives to ensure the safety of key workers and passengers.

Cleaning team member Peter Ferens said: "We are continuing to deliver additional cleaning on board trains and at our stations, particularly focusing on those surfaces that people are more likely to touch such as handrails, door buttons, tables, arm rests, toilets and ticket vending machines.

"I am extremely proud of the team for the time and energy that has gone into delivering our enhanced cleaning regime."

More than 775 litres of soap have been used by staff and customers on the network while 176,800 bags of recyclable waste have been filled during the enhanced cleaning period.

In November 2020 the company agreed to invest a further £1.7m into cleaning on board its trains and at stations. The extra funds allowed TPE to step up sanitation measures and introduce more overnight cleaning on trains, extend cleaning hours at stations and deploy toilet attendants at larger stations to maintain higher levels of cleanliness.