Getting tough … State Transit buses have been converted into "mobile holding cells" to be used during the summit in September.

Photo: Nick Moir

Cages on wheels: APEC plan to keep the peace

Edmund Tadros

June 29, 2007

‘Once these buses indicated their destination in big, bold letters - but, come September, their passengers will have an uncertain trip in store.

The vehicles are understood to be part of a fleet of 31 State Transit buses, some of which have been converted into mobile prisons for use during the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.

The State Government would not comment on the number of buses but said they would have multiple uses, including as "mobile holding cells".

The buses have a regular capacity of about 70 sitting and standing passengers. The conversion has involved placing a panel over the back window, replacing passenger windows with wire mesh and installing what amounts to a mini-prison inside each bus.

An activist from the main APEC protest group, the Stop Bush Coalition, said the buses were the latest act by a state government keen to deter protesters from turning up.

"We are aware of the buses and view it as yet another one of the methods of trying to intimidate protesters," Alex Banbridge said. "The Government should come out and make a positive affirmation that there is a right to protest instead of this systematic campaign of intimidation."

The coalition plans to march through the city on September 8 during the leaders' weekend of the APEC summit.

The Minister for Transport and spokesman for APEC, John Watkins, said: "The buses will be used to transport police, for mobile street closures and security perimeters and as temporary mobile holding cells."

The federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, said he could not give details about the "precise capabilities" of the vehicles.

The Herald has been asked not to disclose the location of the buses by NSW Police.