MARTA has launched a pilot program which equips buses with surveillance cameras that will later be expanded to its entire fleet of passenger vehicles.

Sgt. Aston Greene tells WSB seven buses on randomly chosen routes will have the cameras positioned on both the inside and outside of the bus.

"It's an additional layer of security for our transit agency.  We have already a six camera system at all of our 38 stations. This just builds on that premise that cameras are great for deterrence, they're great for safety, they increase a sense of comfort for our ridership," said Greene.

Greene says the system will capture and store images, audio, and vehicle data that can help MARTA Police investigate crimes and which could prove useful in resolving customer complaints and settling accident claims.

"We'll have cameras on the outside of our bus capturing the street side, the pavement side, the rear and the front of our bus.  But we have a total of 11 cameras, so we'll be able to see 360 degrees of interior and exterior of every MARTA bus," said Greene.

After the pilot program ends in November, camera installation will start on MARTA's remaining bus fleet set to be completed by 2013.  Next April, cameras will be installed on MARTA cars.  Mobility vans will be outfitted in July 2013 and all of MARTA's rolling stock should be completed by July 2014.

The project costs $17,000,000 with the federal Department of Homeland Security pitching in $9,000,000.