Cologne’s public transport operator, KVB, is launching an interesting campaign to encourage passengers to refrain from talking loudly on their mobile phones or listening to loud music on its buses and trains. The campaign’s slogan is ‘Don’t turn the train into a telephone booth’.
KVB points out that many passengers feel disturbed when they have to ‘witness’ loud and lengthy mobile phone calls. Similarly, many passengers feel disturbed when they have to listen to music that someone else likes – especially since their neighbour’s taste in music does not always correspond to their own. KVB wants to encourage more mutual consideration.
The campaign includes a photo motif: the interior of a (fictional) train designed in the style of a British telephone box with the large lettering ‘Don’t turn the train into a telephone box’. This motif will be visible in many places in Cologne over the next few weeks: on posters, on the multifunctional displays in KVB trains, in underground stations, in customer centres and on digital displays.
To convey the campaign in a sympathetic way, KVB has had children record texts that will be heard on their trains.
May it help!
03.11.2025
