When things get tense on the tram: LVB is now trialling bodycams during ticket inspections

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Leipzig Public Transport (LVB) now intends to look into the use of body cameras during ticket inspections. The aim is to better protect staff and passengers in critical situations, to help de-escalate incidents and, in the event of an emergency, to assist with the investigation of incidents, according to the municipal transport company. During the mobility training session on Saturday 19 September at Angerbrücke, the LVB, together with the Passenger Advisory Board, provided information about the pilot project.

“Together with our partners, we are working to make mobility in Leipzig easier, more comfortable and safer for everyone. In addition to CCTV in our vehicles, we are therefore now trialling bodycams during ticket inspections. Experience from other transport operators shows that simply wearing a bodycam visibly can have a de-escalating effect in tense situations. Should an incident nevertheless occur, the footage can also assist in the subsequent investigation,” says Sandy Brachmann, Head of Marketing at Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe.

With immediate effect, staff members involved in ticket inspections who are participating on a voluntary basis are therefore testing the use of these body-worn cameras. The LVB emphasises, however, that there is no continuous or indiscriminate recording. The bodycams are to be activated exclusively in clearly defined situations. In particular, they are intended to send a visible signal in the event of impending or ongoing escalations and to help defuse critical situations as early as possible.

Preventing conflicts from escalating

“Our colleagues carry out important work every day in direct contact with our passengers. They are entitled to be able to carry out their work safely. Bodycams are an additional component of our safety concept – alongside training courses, de-escalation training and video surveillance in our vehicles. Our aim here is quite clear: to prevent conflicts from escalating in the first place wherever possible and to protect our staff as effectively as possible,” says Thomas Liebau, Head of Ticket Inspection.

According to the LVB, bodycams are used in compliance with the applicable data protection requirements. Passengers are to be informed transparently about their use. Recordings are to be processed solely for the specified purpose and stored only for as long as is necessary for that purpose.

Staff taking part in the pilot project will receive comprehensive training before the bodycams are deployed, according to the LVB. This includes, in particular, the conditions for activating the bodycam, communication with passengers, and guidelines on data protection and documentation.

Once the trial phase has concluded, LVB will evaluate the findings from the pilot project. The main focus will be on how the use of bodycams performs in critical situations and what contribution they can make to protecting staff and de-escalating situations.