The first closed circuit television cameras have been fitted to a bus in Keighley to improve security and safety for customers and drivers.

The latest £125,000 single decker "kneeling" bus, which lowers to allow easy access, has four cameras.

And every new bus introduced to the 95-strong Keighley & District Travel fleet will be fitted with similar cameras. More are should arrive in the autumn or early next year.

The system is unusual because as well as keeping an eye on what's going on inside the bus, one camera points ahead to monitor movement of traffic.

It is being introduced following a recent call by Transport Minister, Keith Hill, for bus operators to have greater regard for the safety and security of passengers, especially women, who form the highest percentage of bus users, especially when travelling alone.

Managing director Stuart Wilde said: "Three cameras are mounted inside the bus, two covering the whole of the interior from front to rear whilst a third watches all boarding and alighting movements at the door.

"The fourth camera is fitted outside the bus, looking ahead to monitor the movements of other traffic, including any inconsiderate parking and infringements at bus stops."

The bus will be used on the route between Keighley, Bingley, Saltaire and Bradford, the company's flagship service.

A company spokesman said the cameras would continually record events inside and outside the bus and the film could be used to highlight difficulties or vandalism.

The forward looking camera would record any inconsiderate driving by other road users, particularly vehicles which caused problems at bus stops.

It was hoped it would have an impact on the number of unfair claims by other drivers against the bus company. Investigation by experts from an insurance company had found recent claims to be fraudulent, he said.

Brian Parry, 56, operations controller, added: "It also helps us record instances of indiscriminate parking where people leave their cars near bus stops. It means we can't get the bus near the curb and so the low entrance step isn't as effective."

Keighley driver Tim Always, 35, added: "The CCTV gives us back up when we have instances involving other road users."

Closed circuit television is also in use on First Bradford's 220-strong fleet. But all the cameras point inside the buses to monitor the safety and security of passengers.

Brandon Jones, the company's marketing officer, said CCTV cameras were fitted on 11 articulated buses introduced on the 617 and 618 Bradford-Allerton route.

The buses are 59 feet long and have two cameras linked to a screen so the driver can keep an eye on passengers throughout the vehicle.

"These 11 buses are part of 88 new buses - a mixture of single decker and double decker - which are coming to Bradford this year," he said.