IndyGo Partners with Air Filtration Startup

Tuesday, November 9, 2021 05:29 PM EDT Updated: Wednesday, November 10, 2021 08:23 AM EDT
By Alex Brown, Assistant Managing Editor

IndyGo is partnering with an Indianapolis-based startup to improve the air quality inside its buses. The transit system says it has awarded a full-fleet contract to Lumin-Air to equip its buses with active filtration and UV-C lighting to help continuously clean the air inside the buses.

Lumin-Air was founded last year and has developed an active filtration device that attaches to the inside of the bus and uses UV-C lighting to neutralize airborne pathogens, including the virus that causes COVID-19.

“Our solution helps remove contaminants from the air in order to reduce the risk of airborne pathogen transmission on transit vehicles and school buses with safe, proven technology,” said Lumin-Air Chief Operating Officer Andrew Desmarais. “Our patented process uses MERV-13 equivalent active filtration and UV-C lighting, which has been used for decades to remove and inactivate pathogens along with other particulates. The Lumin-Air solution keeps UV-C in an enclosure, preventing UV-C from shining on occupants or materials, and helping to capture and inactivate pathogens in the air before recirculating air back into the bus.”

IndyGo says the filtration systems will be installed in all of its fixed route, BRT and paratransit buses and will operate through their HVAC systems. 

“Rider safety is our number one priority and Lumin-Air will help us take that commitment to the next level,” Inez Evans, IndyGo chief executive officer, said in a news release. “This system will not only generate some of the cleanest air on any bus in the country, but will also give our riders increased peace of mind when riding IndyGo.”

Earlier this year, Lumin-Air received approval from the Indiana State School Bus Committee to use its system on Hoosier school buses. The company says it has installed its technology in other school districts in California, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Maryland.

Business of Health Reporter Kylie Veleta spotlighted Lumin-Air in the December 2020 edition of the Life Sciences INdiana e-newsletter. Lumin-Air co-owner and President Dan Fillenwarth also appeared on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick to talk about the technology: