Londoners Are Insanely Furious Over A Tiny Change To Bus Announcements

Ahhhhh London, the place where even the transport is trying to kill you.

Recently, Transport for London (TfL) made a small update to its bus announcements. It had such good intentions… It failed miserably. Basically, TfL introduced a new phrase to warn passengers that the bus was about to move – several seconds after the bus was moving.

"Please hold on, the bus is about to move". As the bus is already moving. Every. Time. What were you thinking, @TfL ??

— Geoff Marshall (@geofftech) January 13, 2018

And the Brits? They’re apoplectic. Just another example of a useless public transport system (that’s still arguably better than, like, 95 percent of the world’s transport systems. I’m no transport expert but I believe this to be true).

What's with these new bus announcements that say "please hold on, this bus is about to move" when it's already fucked off at breakneck speed

— Tom Hagues (@trhagues) January 14, 2018

The new "please hold on, the bus is about to move" announcement is ridiculous. It goes off at *every* bus stop 5 seconds after the bus is already in motion, hence it is ineffective and an inconvenience to users. Please reconsider this decision. @TfL @TfLBusAlerts #TfL #London pic.twitter.com/0W0XZPqQ94

— CMPD (@cmpd_date) January 13, 2018

@tfl thanks for reminding me to please hold on the bus is about to move when then bus is already moving after every single bus stop. pic.twitter.com/dNbek765Wa

— Nathan Wade (@natewade87) January 13, 2018

In some instances, it appears the warning has been announced while people are still boarding the bus. Oh, the humanity.

Ha. Packed bus and that announcement plays that the bus is about to move. People were still getting off at the time so they start running down the stairs shouting at the driver to hold on! Sort it out @TfL #PleaseHoldOn ????????

— John Wheeler (@84Wheeler) January 12, 2018

Some people are angry at these announcements for just existing altogether, which is understandable but also wow, rude.

“Please hold on, the bus is about to move” ?? binch, I’ve survived this long

— Jade Azim (@JadeFrancesAzim) January 13, 2018

So TFL buses now (repeatedly) announce “please hold on, the bus is about to move”.

Ngl, if you get into a bus and aren’t anticipating movement, maybe you deserve to fall.

— reubs (@ReubenArthur) January 14, 2018

That being said, people with disabilities have praised the announcements (when they’re working properly, obvs).

FYI as a visually impaired person who is frequently sent flying as I try to safely find a seat as the bus pulls off the correct use of this announcement is extremely helpful

— Dr Amy Kavanagh (@BlondeHistorian) January 14, 2018

I'm a wheelchair user and this kind of announcement is super helpful (when implemented properly) if the bus moves when my wheels are not locked I'll get very injured which pretty much ruins everyone's commute. So a warning is nice.

— ❄️lil cold hands☃️ (@Cooking_J) January 14, 2018

Anyway,  please spare a thought for the TfL social media manager, who is spending their day responding to the same angry messages on repeat.

Hi Geoff

The safety announcements on buses is part of a trial we're conducting across the network. Thank you for the feedback.

Regards Michael

— Transport for London (@TfL) January 15, 2018

Hopefully the trial will right this grievance post-haste. Either that, or everyone in London is gifted earplugs and/or therapy to deal with the never-ending nightmare.

Please hold on the bus is about to move Please hold on the bus is about to move Please hold on the bus is about to move Please hold on the bus is about to move Please hold on the bus is about to move Please hold on the bus is about to move PLEASE HOLD ON THE BUS IS ABOUT TO MOVE

— Nathan Wade (@natewade87) January 13, 2018

Image: Getty Images / Jack Taylor