Brandon transit buses now equipped with security cameras

Transit buses in Brandon, Man., are now outfitted with security cameras.

Each of the city's regular route buses will be equipped with eight cameras, five inside and three outside, while Handi-Transit vehicles will have six cameras installed, the City of Brandonsaid in a news release.

The camerasare expected to be fully operational by the end of the week. The city said signs are clearly posted on the buses letting riders know they are on tape.

"The presence of audio and video surveillance can also detect and deter potential criminal activity, and assist with any incident investigations," the city said.

"Our intent is for our customers and our Brandon Transit operators to feel comforted, not threatened, by the addition of these cameras on our fleet," Carla Richardson, thecity'stransportation services director,said in the newsrelease.

"Such technology is quite common in other city transit fleets across North America."

Funding for the cameras was set aside in the 2015 budget.

The news comes as the city prepares to put four new 40-foot transit buses into service.

Brandon's transit system currently operates10 regular routes that span the city.