Thales to put video surveillance on Paris buses

French defence electronics company Thales said on Monday it had won a contract from Paris's RATP transport operator to put video surveillance systems on more than 1,200 city buses.
The contract, whose sum was not disclosed, involves the design, supply, installation and maintenance of video surveillance and onboard multimedia equipment, Thales said. It was part of an ongoing RATP plan to boost security for passengers and drivers.
The RATP in 2000 started putting video surveillance systems on buses and light rail networks in the Paris area. About 2,000 buses are already equipped. The systems use digital images taken by cameras inside the buses to identify passengers.
Thales said it would provide 5,500 colour video cameras, 1,300 digital recorders, 1,400 removable hard drives and 220 screens for drivers. Thales also said it would equip bus centres and train RATP crews.