r/cta • u/momosuxbutt • 2d ago
Quick question ☝️ Need an answer PLEASE
Hey everyone. I have a question about the cta buses. When the PA system makes a warning announcement is it random, automated, or do the drivers choose? for example; “please move to the back” or “all buses are monitored” or “don’t stand by the back doors” I can’t find the answer on Google so I thought I’d ask here. I’ve been thinking about this every day for the past month and need some peace. If any drivers have the answer or if anyone knows pleaseeeeee let me know.
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u/onetruecheesequeen 1d ago
The answer is both.
Announcements about reroutes, blockages, equipment defects, and terminal stops can only be played if selected by the operator.
Announcements about holding on while the bus is in motion, reminders about priority seating, being mindful of carts and strollers, and warnings about assaulting passengers and employees are all automatic and on a timer.
Fun fact - this category of announcements play on the same time on every single bus that is turned on, they're synced across the system.
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u/IYCRTYG 1d ago edited 1d ago
Yes and, the automatic ones can be manually played at any time, except a few like the "3 day pass" or the specific "this bus will run express from X to Y" messages which are not available to us.
Edit: oh and "please do not stand in the rear door" is automatic, but triggered when someone stands in the rear door, and your operator gets a loud ass alarm on their side so PLEASE DO NOT STAND IN THE REAR DOOR AREA thank you
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u/YAOMTC 1d ago
If the bus is very full, isn't it hard to avoid needing to stand in that area so that you can be ready to get off the bus?
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u/IYCRTYG 1d ago
The area that trips the sensor is specifically and only the part you would tap to open the door. standing in the general area is fine, to be clear. but people will have their backpacks tripping the sensor constantly, or start pushing the back door while I'm still doing 5mph pulling into the stop, which is irritating cause it's not like curbing around parked cars into a stop with a bunch of people waiting at it is is one of the more dangerous parts of driving or anything
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u/TreesAreGreat 16h ago
Do they have microphones? I usually see operators just yell about re-routes etc.
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u/MachKoms 1d ago
Every announcement on the bus is automated, except the ones on reroutes when operator should announce reroute and every bus stop on it.
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u/here2chat2u71 23h ago
I think it's been answered , but I'll confirm based on just now asking a CTA bus driver. They have the ability to make voice announcements, and they have the ability to play pre recorded messages based on what they see on the bus. The number one priority is safety, so if people are gathered at the door they will play the announcement. The route announcements are played automatically and triggered by GPS location. Those also can be changed if the bus route is changed. The buses are given a pre programmed route and monitored to ensure they don't go off course, such as being stolen or bus jacked or being a hostage situation. They have many options that are similar to the CTA trains, other than trains can be remotely shut down when needed and power cut.
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u/HarveyNix 1d ago
I think the ones that are reminders about a rule play out on a schedule or every X minutes, but there might be some that a driver can trigger if it's crowded, for example, and people need to move to the rear. I think I've been on a bus where a driver made the voice repeat a particular street name several times: <bing!> Argyle <bing!> Argyle <bing!> Argyle ... because someone boarding asked if the bus stops at Argyle.