Wednesday, 11 December
Silence on the BVG: Announcements made against loud cell phone music
Tired of hearing someone’s life story shouted into a phone that’s on loudspeaker? So is the BVG. Since the beginning of the year, the BVG has been using loudspeaker announcements across its transport to relieve the burden on drivers – this generally involves freeing up seats for those in need, or relaying safety instructions. Now they’re targeting loud music. They’ve added a new PSA announcement to their buses: “Please be considerate. Music, TikToks, and calls belong in your ears, not on speaker.”
The overall aim is clear: to foster a bit of commuter camaraderie and improve passengers’ awareness. Apparently, the announcements have been well received by employees and passengers. Starting in late December, the BVG will be spreading its message to U-Bahn stations, because nothing screams holiday cheer like an automated reprimand echoing through the tiled tunnels of Kottbusser Tor.
