CTA Train Pain Campaign 1.5

Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2011
To: Feedback [CTA WEBSITE]
Subject: Transit Chicago Contact Us - L Intercom Volume

Comment: Please adjust the volume of the intercom systems on the trains. They should not be so loud that I can feel the vibration of every syllable in my seat and hands. I am aware of ADA concerns - this racket is not doing anyone any favors. I've complained about specific cars on specific runs before, and nothing has been done. You just send me an email about ADA requirements. This happens in 9 out of every ten trains I ride, so there is no reason to name a specific run or car. And I do not think the ADA is intended to put everyone through discomfort on their daily commute.

Most people who ride the trains are residents, and therefore ride the train often enough to know the stops and on which side the doors open, and therefore would be perfectly fine without any announcements at all. The remaining people who don't know whether the doors are opening on the right or the left would not be terribly inconvenienced if, for example, they guessed wrong.

This is never a problem on the buses. I offer that to you as a model. I realize that the train is intrinsically louder than the bus, but the announcements come only when the train is slowing down or completely stopped. Please, I beg you, please turn the volume down on the intercom systems on ALL of the train cars. PLEASE. Please please please.

Please.


[REPLY RECEIVED TODAY]


Thank you for your comments. We apologize for your poor travel experience. This issue has been forwarded to the responsible General Manager.

Again, we are sorry for the inconvenience.

We appreciate your comments.

CTA FEEDBACK TEAM


Sent: Monday, March 07, 2011
To: Feedback [CTA WEBSITE]
Subject: Transit Chicago Contact Us - L Intercom Volume

Comment: Today I bought some earplugs. It says on the box that the earplugs offer up to a 30 decibel reduction. I also put on my headphones and turned the volume of my music to its maximum level. These headphones have a maximum output of about 95 decibels.

Still I could hear quite clearly the train announcements from the intercom, as well as the annoying door chime. This means that the recorded announcements on the train intercom system are overwhelming a sound pushing through my earplugs at the 90+ decibel range at the very least. I could also quite clearly feel the vibration caused by overpowered speakers in the train around me.

Let me remind you that the American Speech and Hearing Association maintains that anything over 80 decibels is potentially harmful.

This problem is endemic to all of the train cars, and must be addressed. It is the very simplest and least expensive thing you can do to reduce the frustration and ire felt by the CTA riders.

Please turn the intercom system volume down.