Coach and bus operator Belle Vue Manchester is to install CCTV cameras across its entire fleet with a view to improving passenger and driver safety.
Representing an investment of around £150,000, equipment supplied by Journeo will be used on more than 40 minibuses, single and double-decker coaches, plus vintage buses, with cameras already installed on school buses.
The single-decker vehicles will carry four internal and four external cameras, while double-decker will have an extra four on the upper floor.
As well as improving safety, the operator hopes the technology will reduce insurance claims and provide assistance in locating lost property.
The programme is expected to be completed in early 2024.
Belle Vue Contracts Manager George Baker, says: “We chose the Journeo system because it allows the remote download of camera footage which we can access wherever our vehicles are. As we provide national and international travel, this is imperative.”
The CCTV system connects to the Journeo Portal through the Journeo Edge unit installed on each vehicle, which provides real-time location via GPS.
Mr Baker adds: “It also gives live information about the health status of the CCTV system, which means we can provide proactive maintenance to keep digital video recorders, monitors and cameras working at all times.
“Because footage can be downloaded remotely in our monitoring suite, it saves time and labour as we don’t have to send someone into the vehicle to retrieve it manually.
“Once on the portal, the operator is able to preview footage to ensure that an incident has been captured.
“This footage can then be downloaded on to our local server. The download package also includes the required playback software to allow the footage to be passed to insurers or police without them requiring additional software.”
The Stockport-based business collaborates with FlixBus for some of its inter-city services and also operates day trips and overseas tours, private functions, corporate work and sports travel.
Michael Rutherford, Journeo’s Business Development Manager, says: “From our very first discussion with Belle Vue, it was clear that the team had a forward-thinking attitude regarding future-proofing and standardising the CCTV systems in their fleet of vehicles. CCTV is not only a vital operational tool – it also gives passengers confidence in choosing to travel by bus.
“By partnering with Journeo, Belle Vue has access to the Journeo Portal, providing it with enhanced CCTV features.”
