Digital security cameras for Dublin buses

Dublin Bus is to install digital security cameras on all of its buses in the wake of the London bombings.

The company will fit the cameras in its 1,062 buses at a cost of €2.8m.

Spokeswoman Gráinne Macken said the firm was acting to safeguard its passengers.

“Given the events in London, security on public transport has now come to the fore and we’re thinking of it in a way we haven’t before,” she said.

The July 7 blasts on the London transport system killed 56 people and injured more than 700 others.

Attempted follow-up attacks were made a week later.

Under the new digital security system, up to eight cameras will be placed in each Dublin Bus vehicle. They will be located in the lower saloon, stairwell, driver’s cab and upper saloon, and a camera will also be fitted to the front of the bus looking forward in the direction of travel.

“Obviously, being in the public transport industry and seeing what’s happened, everyone’s mind is focused on this,” Ms Macken told RTÉ radio.

However, the main purpose of the cameras will be to combat onboard smoking, vandalism and assaults by passengers. They will also be used to tackle any false insurance claims made against Dublin Bus.

Around 90% of the cameras will be installed by the end of the year and they will be capable of taking pictures every two seconds.

The Department of Transport is providing the funding for the system, which will replace the analogue cameras currently installed on Dublin Bus vehicles.

Dublin Bus carries up to 500,000 passengers per day on 170 routes in the Greater Dublin area.