Dubai: CCTV cameras could be installed in air-conditioned bus shelters in Dubai to combat vandalism and abuse of the system.
The warning comes from the boss of the company responsible for maintaining these bus shelters after a spate of incidents resulted in equipment having to be replaced or repaired.
So far around 600 bus shelters are in operation with more than 300 still to be completed.
According to Patrick Chaundy, Chief Executive Officer of Right Angle Media, the firm has invested "several hundred million dirhams" in the project so far. The shelters have been paid for and are being run by the company, which aims to make a profit by selling advertising space on and inside the shelters.
14-year contract
The company has a 14-year contract after which the shelters will be handed over to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).
Chaundy admitted some shelters had been damaged. He said: "We have had problems with littering and damage in certain areas but thankfully it is only a tiny minority in a few areas. If it continues we will have to look at CCTV cameras.
"The vandalism includes mindless graffiti, things broken and even smashed windows. Some people have even held picnics inside the shelters!"
The AC system's noiselessness has led people to think it's not operating properly and think forcing the door open is the only way it works. He said: "We had to educate people not to do that. We have also had people stealing the lights and littering all over the compartments."
But, on the whole, the shelters have proved successful, says the firm, adding that it has a team of 150 people who regularly check the shelters and clean them three times a day.
