The Lion Traxx transportation system implemented a no-touch continuous disinfection device on all shuttles this spring semester along with other measures to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Mounted halfway down and on the ceiling of the buses, the disinfectant device continually disinfects the air on the bus while it is in motion and is specifically designed for public transportation.

Gary Prescott, director of transportation services, elaborated on the functions of the disinfection devices.

“It’s a photocatalytic disinfecting system, so it takes all of the germs out of the air and basically sterilizes them. These were installed on all of the shuttles that go around campus,” Prescott said.

Transportation services purchased from a local company called Natural Disinfection Solutions. According to their website, NDS offers commercial and residential janitorial cleaning, disinfection and odor removal services in the Covington and Mandeville areas.

Prescott said the goal behind the purchase of these devices was to provide continuous clean air and service protection for their passengers while riding the shuttles.

Besides installing a disinfection device on all shuttles, Transportation Services is taking more measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the shuttles.

“We have designated seating on the shuttles to keep students away from one another while riding, so they have designated ‘no ride’ seats or designated seats that students are not allowed to sit on while riding the shuttles,” Prescott said.

Due to state restrictions, transportation services had to reduce the seating capacity by half.

“We’ve requested that all students perform a COVID-19 pre-screening before getting on the buses, and that’s just checking their basic symptoms as the university requested and CDC requested. So they don’t have a fever, temperature, cough or any other COVID symptoms that are existing,” Prescott said.

Students and shuttle drivers are also required to wear a mask at all times while inside the vehicles. The drivers have a plexiglass screen acting as a barrier between them and any students who board the bus.

Along with the plexiglass shields, shuttle drivers are also required to follow several other disinfecting procedures. 

Karla Rakocy, a Lion Traxx driver for Transportation Services, went over what protocols bus drivers follow while working their shift.

“We are behind plexiglass shields and wear masks like the students. We also have a disinfectant that we spray the bus with every afternoon,” Rakocy said.

The Lion Traxx bus runs Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free to all university faculty, staff and studnts. Students must follow the guidelines in order to use campus transportation.