The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) is installing a new air filtration system on COTA transit vehicles, which continuously cleans the air inside those transit vehicles, removing harmful particulates and infectious aerosols to help reduce the spread of germs and diseases.

Lumin-Air Transit’s MERV-13 equivalent filtration and UVC lighting system, alongside COTA’s Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR™ accreditation achieved in 2021, continues to demonstrate COTA’s commitment to providing a safe environment for customers and operators, according to the agency’s press release.

“COTA consistently searches for ways to innovate and improve the customer experience, and the new filtration system from Lumin-Air will help keep our customers, operators, and community safer,” said COTA Chief Engineering and Mechanical Officer Andy Biesterveld. “With recent increases in RSV and flu rates, improving the air quality on our buses with advanced filtration will help mitigate the spread of airborne illnesses and diseases such as the flu, COVID-19 and the common cold.”

All of COTA’s current New Flyer and GILLIG buses will be retrofitted with Lumin-Air’s system, as well as the entire fleet of COTA Mainstream Paratransit vehicles. These systems will have a new, subtractive air cleaner designed specifically for those smaller vehicles that don't have cabin air filters. Lumin-Air and COTA expect all vehicles to be equipped with the systems in Spring 2023.

“Adding Lumin-Air’s system to all of our buses greatly improves filtration performance in terms of filter efficiency, longevity, and affordability,” said COTA Director of Engineering and Maintenance Dan West. “It’s important that we bring this cutting-edge solution to our fleet, expanding our ability to protect customers and operators.”