Hobart’s transit officers are now wearing body cameras, an ‘extra deterrent’ that is hoped to ‘stamp out bad behaviour’ on the city’s buses.
The measures come as part of a pilot program aimed at improving the safety of both bus drivers and passengers in Tasmania following a rising number of incidents of bad behaviour on buses.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said the cameras are another way of making sure everyone feels safe.
“Transit officers have undergone training on the use of the cameras ahead of their deployment this week,” he said.
“We will monitor the deployment closely but know from other sectors that body cameras tend to improve behaviour.”
Mr Ferguson has also hinted at an ‘expansion of powers’ for the transit officers, however it is not yet clear what those powers may be.
“Most trips on our buses are incident-free but we’re putting these measures in place to increase both safety and peace of mind to our drivers and the passengers who do the right thing,” Mr Ferguson said.
