CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) says mobile security video is a key part of insurance and resolving legal claims imposed against the city. On Monday, Charlotte City Council unanimously voted to approve a new video security system for CATS.
The decision comes after security concerns expressed by transit workers. In February, CATS bus driver Ethan Rivera was shot and killed while driving his bus in Uptown Charlotte.
From Jan. 1 through Sept. 30 of this year, there were 12 assaults on bus operators. In years past, there were 55 assaults from 2017 to 2021, according to a spokesperson with CATS.
CATS says the new system would help protect employees, staff, and city assets.
CATS currently contracts with Transit Solutions, LLC to maintain and upgrade the mobile video systems, but the contract is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31. The new contract with Transit Solutions will allow for the purchase of a mobile video system for a term of three years. The five-year contract will cost over $3 million.
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