Outsourcing your facilities' janitorial services is a cost-effective method for reducing the number of pathogens commonly found on buses and in bus terminals.
The Benefits of Outsourcing Janitorial Services to Disinfect Buses and Bus Terminals
Taking the public bus can be hazardous to your health.
According to Science Daily, citing a 1999 study by Cornell University;
The crowded metropolitan bus system in Buenos Aires could be responsible for 30 percent of new cases of tuberculosis in the city.
According to a Cornell University biomathematician, taking public transportation "is a considerable component of transmission and probable evolution of the disease."
Tuberculosis Spreads Through Crowded City Buses, Cornell Researcher Reports
Early in June of 2016, led by researchers from Cornell University, 58 cities around the world, including New York City, conducted research to determine the extent of contaminated surfaces on various forms of public transportation, including buses and inside bus stations.
Among the researchers to participate in the study was Dr. Charles Gerba of the University of Arizona.
According to ABC News;
Gerba said of all the restrooms he tested, the one on a Greyhound bus was the germiest.
He found tens of millions of E. coli bacteria on one toilet seat.
Finding E. coli indicates there's likely fecal matter present.
And if that's so, there's other types of bacteria and viruses that can be present that can cause diarrhea, other types of infections, [including] hepatitis.
Disturbingly, the material that could be identified is not the most concerning outcome of the study--not by a long shot.
According to Ten Eyewitness News;
Forty-eight percent of the genetic data collected in New York didn’t match any known organism.
New study shows buses and trains are like 'germ warfare' factories
Common Types of Germs Found on Buses and in Bus Terminals
Public buses and stations are home to a wide range of germs, bacteria, and other undesirable matter, including:
- Influenza.
- Tuberculosis.
- Viral Meningitis.
- The Common Cold.
- Acinetobacter Baumannii.
- Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
- Enterobacteriaceae: Klebsiella, E. Coli, Serratia, and Proteus.
- Enterococcus Faecium.
- Staphylococcus Aureus.
- Salmonellae, and;
- Human Feces.
Where do the Germs on Buses and in Bus Terminals Come From?
Germs are brought onto buses and into terminals by people, though where the germs originate may shock many.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald;
Similar sampling taken in New York's subway found that of the human bacterial DNA identified, 32 per cent was associated with the gastrointestinal tract and 29 per cent skin.
Another 20 per cent was associated with the genital area, largely a result of people not washing their hands properly after going to the bathroom and... wait for it... farting.
Health and Safety Strategies for Bus Transportation Facilities Managers and Travelers
In order to improve the terrifying public health and safety issues associated with public bus transportation, everyone must do their part.
Facilities managers should adhere to the following procedures:
- Thoroughly clean the inside of buses and terminals twice daily--before the bus leaves to pick up passengers, and once it has returned at the end of its shift.
- Make routine checks of the bathroom in both buses and terminals to ensure they are being used in sanitary conditions.
- Clean and wipe down rails, seats, doors, walls, and windows with a certified green cleaning product and microfiber towels.
- Make foaming soap, hand sanitizer, and certified green cleaning wipes easily available to travelers.
Travelers should:
- Avoid traveling via public transportation when they are ill. This isn't strictly for the protection of other passengers, as many infections weaken the immune system and the additional germ exposure could lead to serious complications.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom and before eating.
- Travel with liquid hand sanitizer, and use it after drying your hands in the restroom and before eating.
- Be conscious of likely contaminated, high-touch surfaces, and use sanitizing wipes when and where available.
References & Resources
- 4 Germs You're More Likely to Catch on Public Transit Than Ebola
- London's filthiest tube lines revealed: which bacteria are you sharing a carriage with?
Takeaway
Studies have shown that buses and bus stations are teeming with germs and infectious disease.
However, the issue of preventing the spread of the pathogens found on buses and in terminals is not solely a challenge faced by the transportation companies, as travelers can quickly transmit the microbes they've picked up along the way to schools and businesses, as well as fellow students and employees.
The rigorous disinfection schedules necessary to maintain the safety of buses as a public transport can be offset by outsourcing custodial services and cleaning product management.
If you would like to learn more about how outsourcing your organization's janitorial services can help reduce germs and bacteria on buses and in bus terminals while improving operational efficiency, and the health and safety of your employees and riders–contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
