Thursday, 4:30 PM
New T buses to feature security cameras
The MBTA showed off a prototype of its latest bus today, the first in the fleet which has security cameras throughout.
A total of 155 40-foot New Flyer emission-controlled diesel buses will be coming to the Charlestown garage starting in October. The $52 million purchase will allow the T to retire about half of its Nova buses purchased in 1994 and 1995, some of the oldest in the T's fleet.
The buses will seat 80 passengers, with 39 seats, room for 41 standees, and two wheelchairs. In addition to the security cameras, the bus's seat configuration has been refined, with more room near the from of the bus and wider areas for standing. The buses will also include strap hangars for those standing, a retro move for the T fleet.
MBTA General Manager Daniel A. Grabauskas said the T had yet to decide if all 155 buses will have security cameras. Only 10 buses have been ordered with the cameras, though all the buses will be wired to install cameras.
Each bus has six cameras, one facing out the front of the bus, one looking on the side of the bus, and four on board.
The cameras, which can save 72 hours of recorded material, are intended to deter crime, protect drivers, resolve disputes and gather evidence in case of other crimes, officials said.
In addition, the cameras can transmit their images in real-time to a portable receiver up to 400 feet away, Grabauskas said.
