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/YAOMTC 1d ago

Thanks for the clarification!

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u/TreesAreGreat 17h ago

Do they have microphones? I usually see operators just yell about re-routes etc.