MCTS Coats Air Filters With COVID-19 Fighting Spray

As life starts to go back to normal, and more riders return to Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) buses, the system wants its passengers to know all COVID-19 safety precautions that have been taken to make the buses safe.

On Monday, the transit system previewed a new coating being applied to air filtration systems on the buses that officials say can assist the prevention of spreading airborne viruses — like COVID-19 — on buses.

The coating, called Aeris Guard Bioactive Filter Treatment, is a sticky polymer film sprayed directly onto the filters. Joe Price, MCTS maintenance administration manager, said the coating does not inhibit the performance of the filters and it’s good for up to three months. Typically, the bus filters are changed based on the mileage put on a bus. That limit is usually hit after approximately two months, Price said.

County Executive David Crowley joined transit system officials for a preview of the new filtration system for the media Monday morning at the MCTS Fleet Maintenance Facility, 1525 W. Vine St.

“We wanted to let the public know that our Milwaukee County Transit System drivers and our mechanics are doing everything they can to keep the public safe,” he said.

The transit system has been using the filter coating for several months, and nearly the entire fleet has received an initial treatment, according to MCTS.

Crowley said he hopes the treatment will provide “some added security” for riders. “We know that so many of our residents rely on our Milwaukee County Transit System.”

MCTS has implemented a number of policies and protocols aimed at making the buses safe to ride during a pandemic.

There is still a 20 person passenger limit per bus, mask wearing is required, free mask and hand sanitizer dispensers are available onboard, contactless payment is being encouraged, entrance and exits are still on different ends of the bus and buses are receiving an extra daily disinfection process.

While MCTS is taking all these precautions to make the buses safe, Crowley said the best way to beat the pandemic and ensure the safety of everyone is for more residents to seek out vaccination.

Filtration System