Munich S-bahns to have hidden cameras installed

Munich will install 8* hidden cameras on each S bahn that will have the ability to record up to 72 hours. The data will be transfered and searched for signs of vandalism occuring during the taping. This measure by Munich is hoped to help identify and prosecute those that vandalize the trains. In as such, it will also be a deterent to future vandalization. Not sure if there could be other "uses", but perhaps you might want to reconsider the idea that you are alone in an S bahn wagon when you decide to do something stupid or amorous.

*It also could be a total of 8 cameras for all of the S bahns and not 8 each, but still, big brother will by watching you at some point in your travels on the S bahn.

#Happy trains to you, until we see you on the news, happy trains to you...

I darn.. There go those Late night "Risky Business" style Sbahn rides

I'll try not to puke on the S-bahn, really I will.

You know what, when I took a bus on Saturday, there was a sign up saying something like 'Sie werden hier ueberwacht' as though there was a video camera in that part of the bus. It freaked me out a bit, and I looked round for a camera, but couldn't see one. I effing hate [video] cameras. MVV = Big Brother.
Edit (afterthought): Maybe they'll notice how crowded it is on the S8 now that they reduced the train to 2 carriages instead of 3 during rush hour; there are never any seats when I get on after it's only gone 3 stops - it's chocka!

The newer busses do Have Video Cameras. Look up front near the driver or if it's a 1+1 Strechy bus, in the
middle, 1 camera looking forward, one looking back. If you really wanted to and had the gear the cameras
broadcast the camera transmissions to basestations along the street as well..

It was actually an old bus (the names of the bus stop weren't even shown at the front) and it wasn't a bendy bus, but I was sat in the middle, so couldn't see up front properly.

I saw a sign in Bahnhofplatz yesterday that said something along the lines that CCTV was in operation there to improve safety and reduce crime. Knowing German privacy laws etc, I would have thought the S-Bahn would also have to inform the public that they were being filmed. Could be wrong though.

This is a new thing with the S bahns and I just heard it on the radio. I guess that is why I haven't found any news stories on it. The difference being is that these are "hidden" cameras and it seems it will be quite a few of them to boot.

I saw an article about it on the SZ website.

If I've understood it correctly, it's planned to fit out 105 of the 238 S-Bahn trains this year. A train will have 8 hidden cameras, 2 in each compartment. A pictogram sticker in the compartment will make it clear to customers that there are cameras installed.

There are 2 levels of recording. The first records non-stop, the whole day long; the second records in a higher resolution when someone pulls the emergency brake or uses the emergency call system. The tapes will only be viewed if something actually happens; if nothing does, they will be automatically deleted after 72 hours.

The project will cost EUR 4.5 million. This is balanced against the current cost of repairs due to vandalism (EUR 4.8 million for the replacement of scratched or damaged windows since 2001. Last year, an additional EUR 260,000 was spent on new seating and other repairs to compartments, and a further EUR 190,000 was spent on cleaning up graffiti).

The MVG (responsible for busses, trams & U-Bahn) is also planning to do something similar. At present about EUR 2 million is spent each year on repairing damaged property. 41 busses are already fitted with cameras, and another 29 will be driving around Munich soon.

Maybe this will stop people smoking on the trains.

any particular reason?

Yep, absolutely. 4.5 million would be money well spent if it stopped all those people smoking on the ubahns...brilliant. Genius in fact.

Now now... I saw one once. He was a scruffy looking chap and was distinctly smoking. Was in 1994 I think

Think this is a good idea as it will hopefully be used to identify Drunks who are causing a nuisance or the Graffitti etc on the S Bahn. Hopefully it will also deter thieves from working on S Bahns especially around the Oktober fest time. I honestly cant see the big issue and welcome it

I thought about that too, with a twinge of regret. Tangerine Dream was even hanging in a little thought bubble above my head. Hey, just look at it this way - it's two times the exhibitionism for the price of one.

But honestly, I can't imagine that the MVV is terribly interested in documenting anybody's "amorous", as eurovol put it, encounters on the S-Bahn. It smacks of Big Brother, no doubt; but as deco pointed out, the city is eager to prevent damage to their hefty investment. Can't have those "USA" graffiti things - with the swastika where the "S" is supposed to be - marring their beautiful new trains before the World Cup.

@ Dally M,
Which Drunks that are causing a nuisance? The ones that talk to themselves, , or the ones that snore? I haven't seen any others. 4.5mill seems a lot to pay.
Which TTr can take the first photo of the hidden cameras?

take care,
space

Well the 1st sign an S-Bahn has cameras installed is to look for the "You are being watched" stickers on the trains...
Then the hunt for them can begin. I'm guessing they will be in the area where the cars connect and the ends and
will be aimed up/down the isles.

I find it odd that this is just happening now. I am not complaining, but this has been in place in Oregon for quite a while. They are located on 80% of the buses and on all the trams.

So you mean they need to check on the damage every day or rather at least once in 72 hours in all the trains?? I suppose involving this amount of manpower would again add to the costs!!!

I'm guessing the cameras don't exist at all and this is but a clever ruse to deter vandals.

No. They have cleaning crews who clean all the trains each night and who notice the damage and write up train carriages for repairs. I don't like cameras for privacy reasons but with German data protection laws as strong as they are (and the scope of the usage of these tapes clearly defined and limited), I don't have a problem with this program, especially if it cuts down on vandalism and saves them more than €5M/year (keeping my costs down as well).

woof.

Perhaps they should be putting these cameras in the stations outside ring 8. I have seen many stations vandalized, many within days of being repaired from a previous vandalism.

Could this be the new hidden cameras? It is definitely new and camera-like
What do you think?
Take care,
space

Nah. It's not hidden...

Thats an outdoor Mobotix IP Camera... Very good and very expensive... What station was this at? (Goes off the find a ladder)

Nice work DK.
I assume one can look at the other types and figure out something evil.
take care,
space

The camera

Actually, I'm gonna say it's prob This One (M10M-Sec) Price: 1000-1300 Eur.. Its not a Night (Infrared) Camera, as it only has 1 lens. The Telephoto and night models have 2 lens.. Still not a bad device...

(Found Ladder What station is this thing at?)

Anyone seen my Ladders?..

S5 Deisenhofen :-)