Copper alloy surfaces are said to be naturally antimicrobial with self-sanitising properties. Research has shown these surfaces eliminate up to 99.9% of harmful bacteria and viruses, according to Teck.

Teck is funding the pilot project that will initially run over four weeks with various copper surfaces installed on two buses on high-use routes, and two SkyTrain cars.

An organosilane surface preservative is also under test and is said to have the potential to control or prevent the growth of microorganisms on treated surfaces.

Teck said the project was the first of its kind on a transit system in North America and the latest in Teck's ongoing efforts to promote the use of antimicrobial copper surfaces in healthcare and public spaces through its Copper & Health programme.

The programme is working to increase the use of copper-infused surfaces in healthcare and public spaces to reduce the spread of infections.

The company said it gained no commercial benefit from pushing the increased use of copper for antimicrobial purposes since the amount required was small. The overarching goal was to improve the health and wellbeing of communities.