Put Surveillance Cameras On 400 Buses

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is launching a $5.2 million pilot project that will put advanced video surveillance equipment on 400 Manhattan buses, the agency announced Aug. 2. If the pilot proves successful, cameras could be installed on all 4,500 vehicles in the MTA's fleet.

LAWRENCE REUTER: Terrorism a concern.

Cite Safety Concerns

Agency officials said the decision to upgrade surveillance capabilities stemmed from a desire to better protect employees and enhance customer security, as well as provide law-enforcement officials with the means of identifying passengers in the event of a terrorist attack.

"Video surveillance is a vital part of the MTA's ongoing effort to maintain a network that is as safe and secure as possible," MTA Chairman Peter S. Kalikow stated.

The pilot system was created by Integrian Inc. of North Carolina, and MTA officials said it has the capability to record and store video for up to 90 days, as opposed to 10 days for other systems. It also has wireless technology that, with upgrades, could provide live video feeds to nearby MTA command centers.

Buses from the Michael J. Quill and 100th St. Depots that provide service for 50 percent of Manhattan riders will be the first to get the pilot equipment. Six buses will be outfitted by the end of August, the MTA said.

May Go Boroughwide

If all goes well, the program will expand to include 960 buses operating out of 126th St., Manhattanville, Mother Clara Hale and two other depots, meaning every Manhattan route would be camera-equipped.

From there, the MTA will take the program into the surrounding boroughs and its remaining 18 depots.

New York City Transit President Lawrence Reuter said the cameras would help deter crime, and also protect the agency from false accident injury claims from passengers.

But the benefits were more than financial, he added.

"We must acknowledge the potential threat of terrorist activity on public transportation vehicles. We saw how London Transport video was effectively used to identify suspects in the July 2005 attacks," he noted.