Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and LifeBuoy have partnered up to provide tram and bus users with free hand sanitiser at key stops and interchanges across the transport network.
The deal which has been agreed between TfGM and Lifebuoy, the world’s number one hygiene soap brand[1] , means passengers can get their hands on free sanitiser from over 80 branded dispensers at interchanges, bus stations and tram stops in Greater Manchester.
The move marks the latest action taken by TfGM to help ensure passengers feel confident while travelling. Other measures include:
- Regularly cleaning and disinfecting commonly touched surfaces across the public transport network, including rails, handles and doors
- Keeping fresh air flowing on trams, buses and trains
- Supporting people with hidden disabilities and giving them confidence to travel safely
- Regular patrols by police and TravelSafe officers across the public transport network to promote safe travel and engage with passengers about Covid-19 guidance
- Providing a range of tickets and passes to help people travel more flexibly
The partnership also coincides with Mayor Andy Burnham’s It’s Time campaign urging people to get back to what they love and support businesses across Greater Manchester – but to do it safely and keep each other safe.
TfGM’s Customer Director, Stephen Rhodes, said: “We want to see people using public transport as Greater Manchester gets back to normal and ensuring people feel safe while they are travelling is critical to achieving that.
“We have implemented a number of measures to keep people safe while they are travelling – including the requirement for people to wear face coverings on Metrolink and at bus stations and Interchanges – and we also know that access to hand sanitiser and keeping your hands clean is important, that is why this deal is such good news for our customers.
“We’ll keep on doing our bit to keep people as safe as possible while they travel, but would ask our customers to also do their bit as they reconnect with the things they love and may have missed, think about each other as you travel, wear a face covering, clean your hands and help to keep each other safe.“
LifeBuoy hand sanitiser gel uses 69% alcohol, which exceeds WHO recommendations, and kills 99.9% of bacteria and viruses including Coronavirus.
Benoit Roger-Machart, Managing Director, Lifebuoy UK & Ireland added: “As people start to move around more, Lifebuoy’s purpose remains the same; we want to help keep people safe and one of the most effective and proven ways of doing this is to keep hands clean and sanitised to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“By providing hand sanitiser to the thousands of shoppers, workers, tourists, who use the Transport for Greater Manchester network, we are helping to provide extra reassurance for everyone. We’ll also be launching information campaigns across the Transport for Greater Manchester network through digital screens, tram takeovers, as well as product sampling.”
In addition to washing your hands or using hand sanitiser, people are also asked to take note of the following travel advice:
- You must wear a face covering, unless exempt if you are using the Metrolink network, bus stations or interchanges or using Ring and Ride services
- You are expected to wear a face covering when using buses and trains or using taxis and private hire vehicles
- here possible open windows to maintain fresh air flow and ventilation
- Clean your hands frequently by washing with soap and water or using hand sanitiser
- Use contactless payment if you can
- Services are likely to be busier – if you can, travel during quieter times
- Consider walking or cycling, particularly for short trips
- Please be kind and consider fellow passengers when travelling on public transport
