Smile! You're on transit video surveillance

By the end of the year, video surveillance cameras will be installed in North Bay City Transit buses.

The cost to equip the fleet is $250,000.

“Our surveillance camera system was actually one of our Public Transit Infrastructure and Funding projects that we received some funding for from the province,” said transit manager Remi Renaud.

“So that will equip our fleet of 21 conventional buses with a number of cameras on board that will be doing some recording, and hopefully deter any type of actions somebody might want to take. At the same time, if it does occur, we’ll be able to go back and look at the footage and see exactly what occurred, what initiated it and what the outcome was, and take whatever action is necessary.”

Each bus will be equipped with anywhere from five to six cameras.

“We’re looking at both inside of the bus and the exterior of the bus down both sides as well as the front of the bus looking out the windshield. So obviously it’s going to be a form of protection for both the operators and the passengers.”

Up until this point, there was no visual record of any problems.

“Basically, it was talking with the driver, talking with the passenger or getting witness statements.”

The goal is to get the cameras installed by the end of the year.

“It’s been a long time coming. This is not uncommon in any type of business, but obviously, in the transit industry, most equip their vehicles with cameras. It’s not uncommon. It’s just  something that the buses have, and it’s a feature that’s offered to the municipalities.”

Any future purchases will come with cameras as well.