Transport for London (TFL) attacks a scourge of daily journeys: passengers who listen to music or watch videos without headphones. Posters will soon flourish on the Elizabeth Line and, in the fall, in the London buses and metros. The objective is simple: remind travelers to ” headpiece To preserve everyone’s tranquility.
A minority, but a great annoyance
According to a survey of 1,000 users, 70 % believe that music or calls without headphones constitute a nuisance. “” The majority of people use headphones, but even a small minority can make the experience stressful », Underlines Emma Strain, customer director at TFL, with the Guardian.
This campaign comes while the 4G and 5G mobile coverage is deployed on a large part of the network, offering more opportunities to make calls or stream content … to the chagrin of travel neighbors. The deputy mayor for transport, Seb Dance, insists: ” The rare travelers who listen without headphones can really spoil the journey of others. »
Sound irritation is one thing, but this phenomenon also questions respect for the rules of common life. In crowded transport, where everyone already supports promiscuity – Parisian travelers know something about it – noisy behaviors are perceived as a form of incivility. Several user associations recall that constant noise contributes to urban stress and the fatigue of passengers. They therefore welcome this campaign, believing that it participates in ” reinstate a little courtesy in everyday life ».
If TFL plays the awareness card, the internal regulations already prohibit any music aloud in the trains, unless special authorization like that granted to official metro musicians. Offenders are exposed to sanctions, even if the proceedings remain exceptional. In 2023, a passenger still received more than £ 300 fine (around € 348) for having broadcast too loudly music on the Jubilee Line.
The Ministry of Transport recalls that anti -social behavior in transport may be punished with a fine of up to £ 1,000. Rare political convergences are also emerging: all the political parties of the country agree that too much, it is too much. Some request a national campaign with financial sanctions, others want to strengthen the application of existing rules.
Everyone actually agrees that everyone deserves to travel in peace. Will these posters be enough to convince the recalcitrants to finally connect their headphones?
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