Security cameras to be phased in on OC Transpo buses

by Alex Boutilier
Metro
June 19, 2013

OC Transpo’s buses are among the newest in North America. Plans to slowly phase in security cameras with the purchase of new vehicles could mean a very long delay before cameras become a reality. (photo credit: Metro / Alex Boutilier)

[Potent News editor’s note: This is a waste of money.  When I was growing up, cameras weren’t all over the place and people didn’t feel the need to install them everywhere… and I’m only 27.  We are experiencing a rapid increase in surveillance in a number of ways.]

The city’s transit commission voted to slowly phase in closed-circuit TV cameras on all OC Transpo vehicles Wednesday.

But some citizen commissioners worried that the incremental approach — installing cameras on new OC Transpo buses as they are purchased — is putting budgetary concerns ahead of passenger safety.

The commission voted 5-3 for OC Transpo’s recommended approach, which would put CCTV cameras on the revamped O-Train, the Confederation Line, and new buses as they’re acquired. OC Transpo’s fleet is one of the newest in North America, however, so the cameras won’t be coming any time soon.

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