BC Transit is starting a one-year pilot project to test video cameras on 75 buses in the Victoria Regional Transit system for the enhanced safety of its passengers and operators. The first of the buses will be on the road this week and all 75 buses with cameras will be in service by May.
There will be signage and information on buses equipped with activated cameras to keep passengers informed of the added security feature. BC Transit says it is following the lead of a long list of public transit agencies in North American that have introduced security cameras on buses.
Up to six cameras will be installed on each bus. There is no live monitoring of the video which will only be removed and viewed by authorized security staff following a reported incident. Only video required for security purposes will be retained, all other video will be erased.
The one-year pilot program also includes cameras on 25 new CNG-fuelled buses being introduced in the Kamloops Transit System by the end of May.
For more information on the program and how the cameras operate, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on www.bctransit.com/victoria/riderinfo/safety
