Sound Transit commuter trains, light rail cars, express buses and transit centers will soon have improved safety for customers with its Seattle-based Security Operations Center able to monitor about 700 closed-circuit television cameras.

Joni Earl, Sound Transit Chief Executive Officer, announced on Friday that the Sound Transit Capital Committee approved a $711,648 contract for software that will allow its Security Operations Center at Union Station in Seattle to monitor the cameras across all of the agency’s services.

The cameras are on Link and Sounder trains as well as at Regional Express bus transit centers.

Currently, the system at Union Station only allows security officials to view video feeds from Sounder stations and Regional Express transit centers. Link light rail video feeds are viewed by King County Metro staff at the Link Operations & Maintenance Facility. Sound Transit owns and manages the Link system, but it’s operated by King County Metro.

Under the contract approved Thursday, Safeware, Inc. will supply and install software for a total of up to $711,648, which includes a 15 percent contingency. The software will also allow Sound Transit to control the cameras where applicable, monitor incoming alarms on the systems and integrate optional access control systems.

Sound Transit plans, builds and operates express bus, light rail and commuter train services in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.