Today I was actually out of the office and into the city. I had an interview to conduct and it took me travelling from Bandra to Prabhadevi. I usually travel by train wherever I go but this time I decided to take the bus considering it would drop me to the point I needed to be at.
Buses in the last few years have taken on a new avatar, Advertising. They initially started using the outside of the buses to carry ads which was followed by using small spaces inside the bus and now its grown to using Acrylic Bus Handles to carry advert messages.
I think that’s fine even though they are a tad uncomfortable to actually grip. But the newly installed TV screens which play repeated adverts takes the cake, constantly playing repeated ads for inane TV soaps to ads for toilet cleaners.
What got to me the most this time was an ad for a Reproductive Centre. It had some guy giving the commentary while the background music was the signature tune from Forest Gump the movie. Another ad for an Animation Institute used a picture of Alexis Beidel, star of a popular US American-Drama show. Copy write laws seem completely non-existent in this city and I’m pretty sure across the country as well. It isn’t uncommon to find a small time hair and beauty salon flaunting a picture of Aishwaraya Rai ‘Bachchan’ on their headboard, like they were her personal hair stylists.
Anyway, getting back to the bus, I sat the forty minute exasperatingly hot journey listening to repeat after repeat of the same ads completely annoyed that authorities make money at the expense of a passenger’s peace of mind. I wonder if they ever stopped to think if we would get irritated by loud speakers blaring nonsense right above your head (or into your face when standing). Isn’t it bad enough we bear with it on long distance journey’s?
Time Out wrote an article on the rudeness of the city, of people monopolising dressing rooms to bhajani mandals in the trains gifting you a cranky mood for the remainder of your day. I think BEST authorities need to read that article.
Not everyone wants to pass their time on the bus listening to senseless ads.
7 comments:
In Berlin they have this screens in the underground trains but without sound. And also they do not screen just adverts but also news and night out tipps. Maybe you should inspire BEST just to slightly change the program of the 'shows' and a lot more convinience could be achieved :-)
Maybe I will... :)
Where is the snap? when did they start doing this please post the snap. How could anyone hear the set with all the noise in the background. Do they have them in all buses or just the fancy ones? it would be a good way to educate people if they had them in all the buses
Well, they have the speakers on loud enough for the first few seats to listen. It forms yet another background noise to the traffic and honking.
I'm not sure when they started it, but its been at least 10 months now that I have noticed it. It would be a good way of educating people, as Alex mentioned, news and public service messages.
And oh yes... pics to come soon enough, I wasn't carrying a functioning camera that day.
I was also quite bugged wiht the blaring screens on BEST....
also one larger aestheic issues is that travel time is probably the only time that mumbaikars have to enjoy their own company.we will soon forget how to entertain ourselves when we are alone! probably lesser issue than most, but that what i felt when i rode a bus with these screens. I mean i usually look out the window watching mumbaikars walking running and living and suddenly this is interrupted by a rude blaring screen advertisement
yeah..i agree it is absolutely annoying..it just adds to the din of the street..maybe the should just flash some mute messages about city cleanliness or something like that..but then who will pay for messages like tat!!
yeah..i agree it is absolutely annoying..it just adds to the din of the street..maybe the should just flash some mute messages about city cleanliness or something like that..but then who will pay for messages like tat!!
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