Our ref: FOI-0014-1718

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 31 March 2017 asking for information about any research has TfL carried out on the effects of repetitive noise pollution on passengers.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.

I can confirm that we do not hold the information you require, as TfL has not carried out any research on the effects of repetitive announcements on passengers, and there is no published research which indicates that such announcements have an adverse impact on health.

The standard announcements set by London Underground are based on a duty of care to the public. With over four million journeys taking place on the Underground every day, we need to make sure all passengers hear the announcements, which will inevitably lead to some passengers hearing them more than once. The other reason for frequency of the safety announcements is that customers need to be reminded about safety in a timely manner e.g. when boarding and alighting. ‎Again, with so many journeys a day it is inevitable that people will hear the announcements more than once.

There is no evidence, medical or otherwise, to suggest that frequent announcements are a cause of stress amongst customers in general. 

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London