Presence & Absence of Transit Audio

Is Anybody There?

This finding relates to the aspect of presence and absence of transit audio as an  essential element of the transport soundscape. While some scholars have referred to the audio as “tannoyance” in order to emphasize its annoying presence, indeed its absence can be all the more frustrating (Moonay 2014, 22). Its absence may also be cause for concern, as this would disrupt the normal soundscape.
 

Even though the announcements are omnipresent in public transport systems they often mix with all surrounding sounds to create an unintelligible mumbling, and they may remain unheard or incomprehensible. Additionally, transit passengers can respond to or confront the announcements by ignoring them, talking over them, or constructing their own soundscapes by using personal headphones.