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Video, audio surveillance system installed in Athens Transit buses
JACOB COLE For The Red & Black
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Passengers riding Athens Transit System buses may feel someone watching them, and they're right.
ATS outfitted its entire fleet of 35 vehicles with a video and audio surveillance system to capture what happens in and around the buses.
The vehicles have six cameras and three microphones, according to K.E. "Butch" McDuffie, director of ATS.
The surveillance systems were purchased with a grant from the Federal Transit Administration at a cost of about $182,000, and ATS plans to put the systems on future vehicles.
"I think it's going to be very beneficial for all of us," McDuffie said.
"It's a win-win for everyone."
McDuffie said the added surveillance protects everyone and lowers the cost of liability insurance for Athens-Clarke County tax payers.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the new system.
One professional driver with ATS, who did not want to be identified, said he was afraid the surveillance would be used to unnecessarily check-up on the drivers.
McDuffie dismissed Big Brother concerns and said as long as the drivers are doing what they are supposed to, they have nothing to worry about.
Others, however, have no problem with the new surveillance.
Kasey Ramey, a University student and frequent ATS passenger, said she feels safer with the cameras.
"I have seen a few situations that made me a little uncomfortable when I've been on routes that don't just cater to students," Ramey said. "I think the new cameras may help prevent dangerous situations."
ATS has not had serious dangerous situations over the past five years, or serious injuries over the past six years, McDuffie said.
McDuffie also said ATS transports between 9,000 and 10,000 people daily - 60 percent of those people are University affiliated. The ATS logs approximately 700,000 miles each year.
ATS outfitted its entire fleet of 35 vehicles with a video and audio surveillance system to capture what happens in and around the buses.
The vehicles have six cameras and three microphones, according to K.E. "Butch" McDuffie, director of ATS.
The surveillance systems were purchased with a grant from the Federal Transit Administration at a cost of about $182,000, and ATS plans to put the systems on future vehicles.
"I think it's going to be very beneficial for all of us," McDuffie said.
"It's a win-win for everyone."
McDuffie said the added surveillance protects everyone and lowers the cost of liability insurance for Athens-Clarke County tax payers.
However, not everyone is thrilled with the new system.
One professional driver with ATS, who did not want to be identified, said he was afraid the surveillance would be used to unnecessarily check-up on the drivers.
McDuffie dismissed Big Brother concerns and said as long as the drivers are doing what they are supposed to, they have nothing to worry about.
Others, however, have no problem with the new surveillance.
Kasey Ramey, a University student and frequent ATS passenger, said she feels safer with the cameras.
"I have seen a few situations that made me a little uncomfortable when I've been on routes that don't just cater to students," Ramey said. "I think the new cameras may help prevent dangerous situations."
ATS has not had serious dangerous situations over the past five years, or serious injuries over the past six years, McDuffie said.
McDuffie also said ATS transports between 9,000 and 10,000 people daily - 60 percent of those people are University affiliated. The ATS logs approximately 700,000 miles each year.
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