No panic buttons, cameras for trains
2012-09-17 22:37
Cape Town - Transport Minister Ben Martins poured cold water on Monday on proposals to install closed circuit cameras and panic buttons in trains.
Replying in writing to a parliamentary question, Martins said extensive technical evaluation had been conducted to check the viability of such safety measures.
"The result of the technical evaluation was that the interior design of the current coaches was not conducive to installing and incapable of offering the requisite level of protection to the CCTV camera unit to ensure a sustainable and vandal proof video surveillance service." Martins said.
The design of the coaches was also not conducive to installing accompanying components for CCTV coverage.
The evaluation found the installation of panic buttons was possible, but not practical.
"The potential to activate the panic alarm for deviant, malicious and/or nuisance purposes without the instant ability to confirm the validity of the activation and the circumstances surrounding the reason for activation outweighed the possible substantive benefit that this device could provide," said the minister.
Martins said the panic buttons had the possibility of causing extensive delays for commuters.
"The resultant service delay to clear the train for onward service from a safety compliance perspective after a panic alarm condition would increase passenger dissatisfaction and indefinitely halt train service in [the] said rail corridor."
- SAPA
