MADISON, Wis. -- Should the city pay to put security cameras on city buses?

That was the question posed to the Transit and Parking Commission by some Madison bus drivers Tuesday afternoon.

In recent weeks Madison bus drivers have come forward with stories of the abuse and crime that regularly takes place on their buses.

Tuesday they asked the commission to intervene and make it safer for everyone by installing security cameras on busses.

Drivers asked that the cameras be placed on the busses with regular problematic routes.

According to their proposal not every bus would have a camera.

But, on those that would have them, the cameras would be used to identify problem riders so police or school officials could take further action.

Drivers say teenagers are the biggest problem.

"They yell, shout, scream, say profanities, push, write graffiti on the seats and it makes it real hard to drive a bus while all that stuff is going on behind your head," said driver Georgian Springan. "We've also been having problems with the South Transfer Point with fighting, graffiti, vulgar language. People waiting for the the bus have been pushed down and injured. A lady cut her head. We just have a lot of problems with teenagers."

Cameras have been used in the past on routes with problematic passengers, mostly teenagers.

The cameras were discontinued because some city alders felt it was an invasion of privacy for citizens.

But drivers argued it's not a lack of privacy but a lack of security that needs to be addressed or passengers could potentially quit riding.

Madison Metro is already doing some things to improve security, such as place metro supervisors at the South Transfer Point during peak volume times.

Today Metro's General Manager said they are also considering an option to allow city employees to ride the bus for free. That would include and possibly encourage police officers -- who may deter criminal activity just by being there.

But drivers didn't get very far with the committee Tuesday.

The committee only referred the camera request to the Madison Police Department, Union and City Labor Relations Board for further study.

So, it could be some time before a final decision is made.