The Real Reason You Don’t Want to Sit on Public Transit Seats (and How

Every day, millions of people use public transit to get around in cities like Toronto, Calgary, Montreal, Vancouver, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami. But whether it’s the TTC in Toronto, Calgary Transit, or the MTA in New York, one truth remains the same across the board: transit seats are often gross. If you’ve ever hesitated before sitting down on the TTC’s Line 1, the Montreal Metro's Green Line, or the San Francisco BART, you’re not alone. With the daily wear and tear these seats endure, combined with the high volume of riders, it’s no surprise that these spaces are home to an alarming amount of grime and bacteria (see this great visual from Velotric)

The Hidden Grime of Transit Seats

Every day, transit seats are exposed to huge volumes of passengers from all walks of life, carrying visible and invisible dirt (see this video), grime and germs. Even with regular cleaning schedules, transit operators face an uphill battle against the accumulation of grime and germs over time.

Consider the transit lines in high-use cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, New York, and Boston: people spill food and drinks on the seats, put their feet on them, put their pets on them, sweat on them, vomit/sneeze/spit and sometimes defecate on them. Studies (like this one from Conde Nast) have shown that these seats often have high very nasty bacteria levels - similar to those found on toilet seats, door handles, and gym equipment.

While cleaning crews work tirelessly, they generally clean (if at all) when a bus, subway/train, is taken out of service. However, with the sheer volume of riders, these seats are rarely clean. Just google "gross TTC seats", do the same with Calgary's C-Train, Vancouver TransLink, and Edmonton’s LRT.

In the USA, where ridership is much higher, things are the same. The Los Angeles Metro’s Blue and Red Lines, Chicago’s CTA Blue Line, and New York’s legendary Subway Line 1 and L train serve millions each month, leading to even higher levels of dirty, germ infested. No matter how frequently cleaning happens, it's impossible to keep up. This visual from TravelMath summarizes what's lurking on your seat.

Enter SEATSQUARE: A Clean Seat Anywhere

If you’re a commuter, the answer to transit seat grossness is simple: use a SEATSQUARE. This chic, portable, seat cover acts as a barrier between you and the unsanitary transit seats.

Not only does SEATSQUARE protect your clothing and skin from dirt, bacteria, and germs, but it’s also easy to carry, machine-washable, and designed for quick, hassle-free setup and removal. Just lay down your SEATSQUARE before sitting on Toronto’s TTC Line 3, Calgary’s Red Line, or the SEPTA in Philadelphia. After use, simply fold up and store in the small, cute drawstring carry pouch. And if you want to use it again on the way home, the logo indicates the up/clean side.

Why Every Commuter Needs a SEATSQUARE

Since COVID, we've all become more "hygiene aware". SEATSQUARE provides portable, affordable protection on public transit. There's no longer a need for "transit clothes", bus pants, subway pants, or subway slacks.

So next time you find yourself waiting at Toronto’s Union Station, Montreal’s McGill Station, or the Chicago Loop, remember: for a clean seat anywhere, sit on the Square. Protect your skin & clothes, ride stress free, and in comfort—because peace of mind should always be part of the journey.