No More Plan to Outfit Buses with Security Cameras

The MTA announced it will no longer put security cameras on its buses. Back in 2006, the MTA announced a $5.2 million pilot program with Integrian to put video surveillance equipment on 400 Manhattan buses, and then, if successful, the cameras would be rolled out to the entire 4,500 bus fleet. Now the Post reports that cameras were installed on only 272 buses—plus Integrian has gone out of business (the MTA says the system had "all kinds of issues"). This comes after a bus driver was killed by a fare-beating passenger earlier this month and two other incidents of bus drivers being assaulted during robberies.

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By Jen Chung in News on December 16, 2008 10:48 AM

Comments [rss]

irsbacktaxes

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NJ1018

The wave of the future in video surveillance is in digital video surveillance systems. Besides fighting terrorism, digital security systems installed in public places, buses, or retail centers can deter crime, provide the police with leads, help citizens feel safer, and improve the economy of a crime-stricken area. The MTA is the worst. They can't do anything right.

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security system

babyhitler

they realize that most of the scumbags who ride the bus are scumbags. It's like trying to police the finance industry. You know they are all crooks but you can't put them in jail.

Rob T Firefly

#11: I think they're more rapscallions than scoundrels, with possible leanings toward ne'er-do-wells.

Wza

Blah...we all know the MTA can't do anything right.

JacqueMehoff

probably a bad plan to begin with.

should have went with old school tech like videotaping the bus route.

whitecastlerock

There is rampant fare beating along some routes in the outer boroughs. It may curtail these scoundrels if a video camera was available. Oh who am I kidding...

ANGRYGOD11

Nothing is free. Someone is paying for it.

aspiringrapper

Buses are free if you live in the Bronx & get on through the back door. Drivers don't give a crap. What makes it even more fun is that you can beat the people stupid enough to pay for their rides to a seat!

Screw the MTA.

Steven

Move along. With the MTA and NYS nothing ever gets done. All they do is studies and pilot programs.

hungryghoast

yet another "Who thought this was a good idea in the first place?" moment from the MTA. jeeeeezhus.

r1b2

Of course, with threats of fare hikes and service cuts, adding cameras seems a little pie in the sky, no?

I second the emotion:

buses & subways should be free

parking & tolls should be expensive

jt10000

Is there so much crime on buses that everyone should be videotaped getting on board? That's a serious question and I'm not sure that there is.