Llandudno-based Alpine Travel has become the first operator in North Wales to install new ActivFilter air filtration systems into its fleet of tour coaches.
The new systems, which the manufacturer says are more than 99% effective at eliminating airborne viruses, involve the installation of new filters which include the added protection afforded by a new anti-viral layer and the upgrading of the on-board software that controls the air conditioning systems. The volume of fresh air being drawn in from outside the vehicle is increased by 33% and when combined with the new filters, the firm says that this ensures that the air inside the vehicle is now completely changed every 2 minutes.
Alpine said that the installation of the new ActivFilter systems to its coach fleet has been undertaken to ensure its passengers remain safe as the industry gets back on its feet after the Covid-19 pandemic and widespread cancellation of coach travel and holidays since March 2020.
The ActivFilter system was developed before the Covid-19 outbreak and has been on the market for more than a decade, but it has since been tested on coronavirus in Spain, where the results showed 99.7% effectiveness against the disease, the manufacturer said.
Chris Owens, Managing Director at Alpine Travel, said: “We have been working to ensure that, as we move forward out of this pandemic, our vehicles provide a safe and welcoming environment for our passengers as they rediscover the delights of travelling by coach once again. Installing this filtration system in our vehicles will ensure that we are able to alleviate any anxiety that our passengers might have about travelling on our coaches. It’s a great step forward. After all we believe it’s our responsibility to our passengers and customers to give the best travel experience possible and the investment we are making now, will benefit all our passengers for years to come.”
