Bombardier Signs Transit Security deal with March Networks

March Networks‘ contribution is part of the Bombardier
SEKURFLO product line of transit security systems. The SEKURFLO
solution, helps to secure the safe, operational flow of passenger
traffic.

Andre Navarri, President of Bombardier Transportation
said, "Bombardier’s SEKURFLO solution offers worldwide public
transportation a highly reliable system that incorporates intelligent
analytics and features that are designed to meet the most demanding
transit performance requirements." He added, "Our partnership with
March Networks represents a viable collaboration of research and
development with one of the security industry’s leading technology
companies."

Peter Strom, President and CEO of March Networks
said, "The transportation sector represents a significant growth
opportunity for March Networks. By partnering with a world class
organization like Bombardier, we are continuing to secure our position
as the leader in mobile video solutions."

The City of Toronto
also recently recommended the purchase of 234 new subway cars from
Bombardier. And, at the end of August, March Networks was selected to
provide surveillance cameras for the Toronto Transit Commission’s 
(TTC) buses and streetcars at a cost of  $16.8 million. That price
includes $13.9 million for 1,750 full-motion, on-board camera systems,
digital recording equipment and necessary software tools, and $3.9
million for installation and project related costs.

March Networks also won the contract for 150 camera systems on Toronto Wheel Trans vehicles valued at $1.5 milion.

The
deal comes after several high-profile assaults on TTC buses and
streetcars where cameras might have detered the assault or assisted in
identifying the suspects. In 2004, a young girl was shot during an
altercation on a bus and in 2005, a bus operator was shot while in the
driver’s seat during an incident that took place off the bus.

According
to City of Toronto documents, the contract was awarded to March
Networks following considerable deliberation by TTC staff and
operators. An Operator Assault Task Force was formed in 2002 to review
past assault prevention recommendations and develop new recommendations.

The
decision was then made to "Consider a test trial installation of
cameras on revenue vehicles to act as a deterrent to operator assault
and assist in the identification and apprehension of assault suspects,"
according to a city report that also states that:

"After review
of safety cameras used at other transit properties, TTC staff concluded
that an intelligent colour picture and video system with high-quality
visual clarity would be the only acceptable systems to both the TTC and
the Toronto Police Service. These systems ranged in cost from $5,000
and $10,000 per vehicle."

The TTC had also tested two camera
systems that were used in Toronto taxis. But at the end of the test
pilot, TTC and Toronto Police concluded that the quality of the black
and white pictures and downloading activities were "inadquate for use
on buses and streetcars."

It is estimated that 100 systems will be installed by the end of the year, with the balance by the end of 2007.