Text: Anita Schuler; Photo: SBB
The bus-driver pauses for two seconds, stood in front of the seated passengers, and looks set each in the eye before the morning commuters with a smile welcomed: "! goodness Morge mitenand" I'm not in the country, where people know each other in person and always greeted by name, is still possible even in the greater familiarity and a little dedication, as makes me think of these drivers. After his welcome, he sits down behind the big tax depends in good spirits, the seat, starts the engine and drives me on the angle.
talking with the driver is prohibited. He must concentrate on the traffic. Are therefore announced the stops from tape automatically? A woman's voice says in the bus for 45 seconds before the next stop, the bus stop. I wish more time, a deep male voice would take over this service. In the soothing bass or Waalkes Otto-voice cheers me. But field tests of the SBB has shown that passengers prefer female voices. Women have the clear pronunciation and her voice is perceived as friendly.
stupid system
Unfortunately, the stupid system detects no errors, for example, when for the umpteenth time, "Streetcar Named Rapperswil. Please note that all off! "From the speakers rattling, although the S5 still runs through the Zürich Lowlands. After the fourth time, "Streetcar Named Rapperswil. Please note that all off! "Nerves the wrong message and I wonder why the conductor does not refer this thing. But at that time runs in the S5 with no guard.
The engineer could intervene - when he heard what was going wrong in the wagons running. The train can not proceed any further, it is he who gives himself through within three minutes, a status message. Then assume the operation center of the SBB passenger. Direct and live from the control center of Bern, it keeps the passengers on the nature of the problem to date and how long it takes for the train travels and whether waiting for a connecting train. Where the technology fails, does the man is a corrective. If he sees it.
man or machine?
Whether the train announcements coming from a man speaks or can live, is a question of equipment. New trains are equipped with dual systems: monitors and announcements on the tape. Older models need get along without this technology. Therefore, in the green, nostalgic stroll features continues with a guard. It is his task to announce each stop in person. Thanks to its slung red box - digital Billettentwerter and online schedule in one - he says just before exiting through the ports, the departure times and departure tracks. This personal announcements I'm counting you.
tonality from tape
Less like me, however, the directives from tape. In a commanding yet friendly effort tells me the Rhaetian Railway, "! Passengers to Davos - please change" They can also friendly. Especially nice it sounds like the Vereina: "Susch. Fermada sins dumonda "I do not speak a word Romansh -. Guess at most of the Italian mind and could guess at best - sounds that language with the many hissing and special characters likeable. Despite voice from tape: I remain seated - only because of the Romansh euphony.
back after the Grisons regional train Intercity into the urban lowlands: I hear the words, listen to the voice and think myself on the plane. The sing-song announcement from the British band is similar to the famous "fasten your seat belt please" in the aircraft. What is missing is that with a uniformed employee of hands-SBB explains how to fit the life jackets and the location of the emergency exits.
adoption
announce stations announce direction and a greeting message and a similar adoption - the more the voice is not from tape. The driver of the bus rate 530 Zurich-Bülach however, conjures me with his personal "Uf wiederluege mitenand. Have a nice day "a smile on his lips. This may be him.
