The exterior cleaning of train wagons, each up to 25 meters long, is a cumbersome and resource intensive task, demanding large quantities of water and chemicals. Last month, the Swedish subsidiary, ISS Trafficare, invited customers and media to attend the opening of a brand new type of train washing facility in the city of Malmo.

The new facility is a virtual breakthrough for the environment explains Jan Gustafsson, Managing Director of ISS Trafficare:

“All chemicals and waste water from the cleaning processes are diverted to a purifying plant within the washing facility. On top of that, all chemicals are ready-mixed, which reduces environmental risks considerably,” he says.  

Train wash requires specialised skills and equipment. Electronic installations on the roof must be protected and train sizes and shapes vary considerably. The new facility in Malmo is designed to accommodate all types of trains and train wagons. The new facility and techniques will also be deployed in Stockholm and Gothenburg.

Across the entire Group, ISS services a large number of railway companies, bus and metro operators, ferries and other transportation companies.