A train operating company (TOC) is leading the way in removing harmful pollutants from the air and, therefore, improving the travelling experience of its customers.

South Western Railway (SWR) is leading the way in the use of new technology to improve the environment in stations as it has become the first TOC to install a Pluvo air-purifying totem at one of its stations.

The new installation, a first for the rail industry, will not only help improve the environment but will also help the company become a more sustainable train operator.  Pluvo is a UK-based air filtration technology start-up company. It is a leading innovator in clean-air technology and has formed an important partnership with SWR.

The new Pluvo Column has been installed on platform four at Salisbury station, one of the busiest stations in south west England.

The column will monitor air quality in the station and will remove harmful pollutants from the air by way of an advanced air filtration system, drawing in polluted air and blowing out clean air.  If the trial proves to be a success, more columns could be located at other stations.  Passengers are being encouraged to find out more about the trial by engaging with SWR’s bird mascot, Wesley C. Peck, and to use Hello Lamp Post’s text-based chat function to pass own their thoughts about the initiative.

Air pollution is a massive problem in the UK, costing the NHS more than £20bn annually and contributing to 40,000 premature deaths, according to the Royal College of Physicians.

SWR was the first TOC to publish a roadmap to Net Zero.  Its carbon emission reduction targets have also attracted global attention, with the company’s efforts being recognised by the Science Based Targets Initiative, one of the world’s leading global climate bodies.  The company has also set about encouraging sustainable tourism by enabling customers to continue their journeys from railway stations using bike and scooter hire.  In all, more than 4,000 cycle spaces have been installed across the SWR network in the last five years.

Jessica Van Staden, South Western Railway‘s Senior Sustainability Manager said:  “This partnership with Pluvo is very important to us as we investigate and trial new ways of improving our customers’ journeys. The results of the Pluvo Column trial at Salisbury could have far reaching effects on how we improve air quality in our stations as well as in other  public spaces.

“We would like to encourage customers at the station to use the Column’s chat feature to give us their opinion on the trial and whether they would like to see it extended to other SWR stations”.

Matteo Maccario, Chief Executive Officer of Pluvo, added: “We’re delighted to be working with SWR to improve the air quality at one of the South West’s busiest stations. Air Pollution is the single biggest environmental threat to global health and the Pluvo Column is a solution which can help create healthier and safer spaces for us all.”