Hailing it as a tested killer of the novel coronavirus, New York City transit officials announced on Tuesday that they are launching a pilot program using ultraviolet light to disinfect its subway cars and buses.

“To our knowledge, this is the first reported test of its kind, period,” Patrick Foye, chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, said at a news conference where the technology was demonstrated.

The MTA will spend about $1 million to purchase 150 UV lamps from a startup company called Puro and begin the first phase of the experimental program in hopes of eradicating the COVID-19 virus from its fleet of subway trains and buses.

“UV is a proven technology that has worked effectively in hospital emergency rooms, hospital operating rooms, urgent care centers, universities and first-responder locations,” Foye said. “I don’t want to mislead anybody into thinking this is a cure-all. There is still much work to be done, but this is a significant and promising new development.”