Cameras solve complaints

‘‘The minute you leave them they go up and look in the doors and windows.’’ Bus driver Lew Hirini

Newly-installed cameras on Palmerston North buses have helped catch a thief and decrease complaints about drivers.

In July, Tranzit Coachlines installed up to seven cameras in each of its 27 city buses, after a slew of complaints about driver behaviour.

The $2000 camera units have, the company says, led to a big increase in resolving incidents of trouble, or such complaints.

Tranzit managing director Paul Snelgrove said since the cameras were installed, the number of incidents the company could get to the bottom of increased from 17 per cent to 78 per cent.

The cameras helped resolve seven of nine passenger complaints about service in August and September, Snelgrove said.

‘‘At the same time last year, we received six complaints about service and successfully resolved one.’’

Tranzit spokeswoman Jenna Snelgrove said within two weeks of the cameras being installed, a person was caught on camera stealing a cash box from a bus while the driver was helping a passenger

Bus driver Lew Hirini, said he now felt prepared in case cash was stolen from his bus.

And it was comforting to know whenever someone approached the bus they would be on camera.

At first, the thought of cameras watching his every move was daunting, but it was a good security measure, he said.

‘‘[People] linger around the bus stops.

‘‘The minute you leave them they go up and look in the doors and windows.’’

It was also a good way to resolve disputes, such as complaints about buses arriving too early or too late, Hirini said.

Previously, drivers had to back themselves, but now they could refer to the cameras, he said.

‘‘The proof is in the pudding,’’ Hirini said.