Most bus lines in Luxembourg City are already equipped with CCTV cameras, but many rural RGTR services don’t feature the technology. Photo: Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

Most bus lines in Luxembourg City are already equipped with CCTV cameras, but many rural RGTR services don’t feature the technology. Photo: Romain Gamba / Maison Moderne

The government is working on establishing a legal basis to install CCTV cameras across the country’s public transport network, transport minister François Bausch has said.

CCTV cameras are already installed on the Luxembourg City tram, some bus lines and trains, but haven’t been implemented across the entire network of overland buses.

“The transport ministry is working with the public transport administration on a legal basis for video surveillance on all public transport,” Bausch (déi Gréng) said in answer to a parliamentary question published at the end of last week.

For the RGTR buses, upgrades are planned as part of contracts that are set to be renewed mid-July this year.

Bausch announced the plans after MP Jessie Thill (déi Gréng) had enquired about sexual harassment on public transport. Public transport workers reported eight incidents of sexual harassment last year, Bausch said, although the number of unreported cases is likely to be higher.

In six cases, authorities requested CCTV footage as part of investigations.

The national rail service CFL has around 785 surveillance cameras at train stations across the country, 115 at its park and ride facilities and 1,200 cameras on trains. “This network is being constantly expanded,” Bausch said.

Bausch last week in parliament had said that the government is also mulling investing in new buses that feature a protected cabin for drivers as it progressively updates the public transport fleet.

Drivers in the last two years have been somewhat more shielded from passengers as access to buses was only possible through the rear doors, with tape cordoning off the front of the bus for social distancing.

Lawmakers had cited attacks against drivers, especially on late night services and with intoxicated passengers, and demanded that Bausch explain what the ministry is doing to protect staff.