Over 150 bus shelters across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council area have been upgraded with new CCTV cameras. 100 more locations will follow across coming months as part of a bus stop safety upgrade.
The equipment is supplied and maintained by Journeo. It is what BCP Council describes as “uniquely installed in existing real time information screens” in shelters. Such an approach provides a cost-effective solution and will reduce antisocial behaviour and make bus travel safer, the local authority adds.
The bus stops where the CCTV has been installed are the busiest in the council’s area. Poole bus station (pictured) has also benefitted from the equipment. There it has been integrated into 14 new electronic passenger information displays that provide accurate departure information.
High-definition footage from the new cameras is live streamed to the local authority’s CCTV control room, with continuous recording. An earlier consultation had identified a need for enhanced CCTV alongside a uniformed presence on buses from Transport Safety Officers. Bus Service Improvement Plan funding is going towards the work.
Those Transport Safety Officers were introduced earlier in 2024. They travel across key routes on the BCP bus and rail network, interacting with people and dealing with any incidents of antisocial behaviour as part of that wider scheme.
BCP Portfolio Holder for Climate Response, Environment and Energy Cllr Andy Hadley says of the cameras: “We are working closely with our local bus operators to significantly improve bus services across the BCP area.
“This forms part of our commitment to transform travel by encouraging more people to take environmentally friendly options like the bus or train. Reducing antisocial behaviour at Poole bus station and at our bus shelters plays an important part in this.
“Our residents want to feel safe when they travel, and these new CCTV cameras will hopefully encourage more people to leave their cars at home and take a sustainable option instead, which has the added bonus of reducing congestion on our roads.”
As the dominant operator in the BCP area, Morebus has supported the security-related work. Managing Director Andrew Wickham adds: “We want those travelling with us to feel safe and comfortable while onboard, at bus shelters, and at Poole bus station.
“The bus stop cameras and state-of-the-art equipment installed at the bus station – with its dual purpose of providing live information and CCTV monitoring – will go a long way to achieving this.
“Our excellent partnership with BCP Council has gone a long way to facilitating these latest additions, and we will continue to work together to achieve our joint aim of easing congestion and improving air quality across the region.”
