Turn down volume on train platform
April 15: a notable date for Americans, and for the residents of Wheaton it is the anniversary date.
One year ago on April 15, the railroad completed a platform extension at the Wheaton train station, including the installation of light posts and loud speakers on each light post on both sides of the entire platform.
At 2 a.m. that morning, they began a continuous announcement which continued for three hours. That announcement was so loud it could be heard in the homes in downtown Wheaton, even though the windows were closed, and as far as a block away from the station.
At 5 a.m. the announcements changed to alerting commuters to the approach of an incoming train. These messages continue into the night, about 11 p.m.
Because of the volume, frequency and duration of these announcements many Wheaton residents, including city hall, contacted the railroad to complain. Promises were made to investigate and finally the middle of the night announcement was discontinued; a program timing error. Incoming train announcements continue, they still begin at 5 a.m. and continue until after 11 p.m.
Multiple requests to have some of the loud speakers disabled and the volume turned down have gotten no attention. The railroad claims these announcement are a safety measure, and that is understandable. But at 5 a.m. and after 7 p.m., just how many commuters are on that platform waiting for trains? Just seems like overkill.
At least TURN DOWN THE VOLUME!
Maddie Smith
Wheaton