Air quality management partnership to support public transport recovery

A new air quality management partnership has been announced today (June 29) to help support public transport’s recovery from Covid-19.

The partnership between AirLabs – air quality management company and 21st Century Fleet Systems, part of Journeo – the public transport technology company, is set to bring air filtration devices transport operators in the UK.

The partnership will see the distribution of AirLab’s air filtration technology – the AirBubbl, which the company says has been scientifically proven to remove more than 99% of airborne viruses and contaminated particulate matter.

The technology can be deployed in public transport vehicles to remove airborne coronavirus particles and air pollution, the company said. 

The agreement will open up access for the AirBubbl device to 21st Century’s portfolio of customers, including UK transport operators including Arriva, FirstGroup, Go-Ahead Group and National Express, as well as regional operators such as Sullivan Buses and social enterprise groups such as the HCT Group.

With more than half of respondents to a recent survey by Transport Focus saying that coronavirus has made them re-think how they will use public transport, AirLabs said the technology can play a key role in reassuring the public it is safe travel.

According to the company, AirBubbl floods the vehicle with over 37,000 liters of clean air every hour, creating a 'clean air breathing zone' to help keep drivers and passengers safe.

The AirBubbl is also effective at removing air pollution, the company said, including ozone gases, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ultrafine particle pollutants (PM10, PM2.5 and smaller) playing a role in protecting drivers and passengers post-pandemic. 

Stuart Walker, head of product marketing, transport at AirLabs, said: “The AirBubbl is a scientifically proven technology that has been rigorously tested for its effectiveness and is successfully being deployed by transport operators around the world, protecting drivers and passengers from airborne coronavirus and air pollution.

"Journeo’s industry expertise and well-established base of customers make them the perfect partner for us to bring our market-leading technology to transport operators across the UK as we look to rapidly expand our distribution.”

Mark Johnson, director of fleet systems at Journeo, said: “We’ve seen a huge demand from our customers for tried and tested solutions that will help improve customer confidence in public transport and get the industry back on track as it recovers from the pandemic.

"We have chosen to add the AirBubbl to our portfolio of in-vehicle technology solutions, to provide our customers with scientifically proven technology that they can trust.”

AirLabs said the AirBubbl is being deployed by transport operators and has been installed in vehicles including public and private buses, coaches, minibuses, patient transport vehicles, community transport buses, taxis and private cars.