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Charlotte City Council approves new CATS camera contract

CHARLOTTE — The Charlotte City Council approved the purchase of mobile video systems for Charlotte Area Transit System buses on Monday night.

The proposed three-year contract is with transit solutions, but the city manager will have the option to renew the contract for up to “two” one-year terms, according to the city council agenda.

Channel 9 has reported on how assaults have been on the rise. In February, CATS bus driver Ethan Rivera was shot and killed while on the job in Uptown Charlotte.

Over the past five years, there have been 57 operator assaults, which is 0.09 operator assaults per 100,000 vehicle miles traveled, CATS stated in a February release.

The new camera contract could lead to even more safety improvements on the transit system.

Council members voted unanimously in favor of the contract.

(WATCH BELOW: Surveillance video shows moment man shoots into CATS bus with passengers on board)