Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 14, 2005

Metro updates prerecorded station announcements

Metro staff have recorded a handful of new station announcements that customers can expect to hear as they travel through the Metrorail system. The messages began to be used during the past few days.

The announcements, some of which use light-hearted humor and others that are straightforward, include messages and helpful tips about train doors, safety, no consuming of food, no littering or smoking, how best to board a crowded train, and courtesy toward seniors and customers with disabilities.

The updated recordings were made by a Metro employee who has had previous experience in the broadcast field and has what the broadcast field refers to as "a radio voice."

Examples of some of the announcements are listed below.

  • Message about no running: Ladies and gentlemen, Metro trains operate over 1,500 trips per day transporting customers like you. So, please take your time and don’t run to catch the train. Remember when one train passes, another will follow.

  • Message about no eating: Ladies and gentlemen, are you running late" Hungry" Didn’t have time to eat" Use Metrorail to take you to your place to eat rather than be your place to eat. Please help us keep the system clean. It’s the law for a good reason.

  • Message about how to board a crowded train: Ladies and gentlemen, help wanted! Metro is looking for a few good people to move to the center of the rail cars. So do your part and help us fill these vacancies.

  • Message to be courteous to seniors and customers with disabilities: Ladies and gentlemen, please allow senior citizens and persons with disabilities priority use of elevators and priority use of seating designated for their use.

  • Message about safety: Ladies and gentlemen, we care about your safety, please stand back from the platform edge, stand clear of train doors and allow customers to exit before attempting to board.

  • Message directed to children: Children, please don’t run, play or sit on the escalators, station mezzanines or platforms. While using escalators, please hold your parent’s hand.
  • Message about train doors: Ladies and gentlemen, unlike elevator doors, train doors do not retract when they strike an object, so remember the sound of the door chimes indicates that the doors are closing.

  • Message about trash: Ladies and gentlemen, in a town like this, you never want to leave a paper trail, so remember to take your newspaper with you. Please help keep our stations and trains clean.

    News release issued on January 14, 2005.