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Public service announcement? More like public nuisance...
Heartfelt thanks to Jules Stewart and Metro for writing and publishing the letter concerning the bombardment of ‘nannyish loudspeaker proclamations’ that assault our ears on London’s public transport and elsewhere (MetroTalk, Thu).
What a relief the announcement-free week Jules advocates would be to us all.
The week before last, I chanced to ride upon a Piccadilly line train upon which the public address system had mercifully failed. What a joy it was to ride high above the London suburbs in comparative peace! Stress levels were much lower, people had taken off their headphones and were happily snoozing, chatting or reading, free of the tiresome din.
What was intended as a public service has become a public nuisance.
One irony is that exposure to the barrage of routine announcements may be preventing us from hearing any that may really matter. Who actually listens to their content any more? We have taken to wearing headphones or simply inwardly ‘turning off’ to avoid them.
It is also tragic that sensitive people, such as those on the autism spectrum, or even the blind, may find the cacophony unbearable and be completely put off using public transport. Bernard Winchester, South Norwood
Why TfL won’t turn down the volume – blame the lawyers
‘this litigious society’
I work for Transport for London (TfL) at a busy central London station. I agree that silence is bliss but the problem is, if we don’t play those messages, people in this litigious society will scream blue murder the minute something goes wrong.
‘We weren’t informed/advised/warned,’ they’d say, and TfL would be open to legal action. I realise that people, including myself, want peace and quiet but there are just as many people waiting for any chance to complain. Phil, Hertfordshire
Keeping stupidity at bay – one announcement at a time
‘stupid people out there don’t take in simple instructions’
There are a lot of stupid people out there who don’t take in simple instructions, such as to stay behind the yellow line on the Tube platform. The railway companies are scared of being sued by ignorant people. Geoff Treby, via email
A ‘fun’ journey with ‘amazing’ people?
‘I don’t want a ‘fun’ journey – I want a silent one.’
I’ve not heard the daft announcement about hats and windy weather mentioned by Jules but I and other travellers were once addressed thus, ‘Hallo to all you amazing people at King’s Cross…’ Why ‘amazing’?
The announcer then warned us about ‘minding the gap’ by explaining exactly what the ‘gap’ was between carriage and platform, concluding with, ‘Have a fun and safe journey.’ I don’t want a ‘fun’ journey – I want a silent one. Julian, South London
Dog owners, spare a thought for those of us struggling to walk
‘Dogs get prioritised over humans over here!’
I’m in sympathy with Charles EL Gilman (MetroTalk, Fri), who describes dogs as ‘insensitive’ and ‘unpredictable’ weapons.
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I am still recovering from a two-year-old leg fracture and one-year-old back injury.
Dogs have a habit of yapping up at me when I’m walking in their direction.
On really bad days there are dogs and their owners on both sides of the pavement and there’s no space for me with my leg and back problems, so I usually have to veer off into the road to avoid all these pets. Then I have to ensure I’m mindful of oncoming cars!
Dogs get prioritised over humans over here! William Barklam, Kent
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