Talking buses are driving Portlanders crazy. Yes, you heard me right. TriMet recently rolled out a new version of “talking buses” that warn pedestrians outside the bus when the bus is turning. TriMet says, with distracted walking a big issue these days, it could prevent people from walking out in front of the bus if they hear an announcement that the bus is approaching.
One problem though. The audible warning system appears to be malfunctioning, meaning it goes off at all hours of the day and night even when the bus isn’t turning. The people who live along TriMet routes say it sounds like a woman yelling and wakes them up. The Oregonian has the story.