Voice Of London Subway Fired Over Comments

(AP)  The woman behind the gentle, even voice which warns London's subway commuters to "Mind the gap" was fired after telling a newspaper she thought the transit network was dreadful.

Emma Clarke has been recording messages for London's sprawling subway network, popularly known as the Tube, since 1999. In addition to warning passengers to watch their step in walking between subway cars and the platform, she also reads the trains' stops, tells Londoners how long they have to wait until their next ride, and delivers service updates.

Transport for London, the body responsible for running the subway, said Monday that Clarke, 36, was fired for telling The Mail on Sunday she avoided using the subway whenever possible.

"The thought of being stuck in the Tube with strangers for minutes on end and having to listen to endless repeated messages of my own voice fills me with horror," she told the paper.

She said using the service every day had been "dreadful."

The paper also featured Clarke's Web site, which hosts a series of spoof Tube announcements, including one warning a passenger not to stare at a woman's chest and another telling American tourists, "You are almost certainly talking too loud."

Transport for London noted that some of the spoof announcements were quite funny, but spokesman Dan Hodges said Clarke's attack on the subway itself had crossed the line.

"We wouldn't employ somebody to promote our services who simultaneously criticizes those services," Hodges said.

Clarke's voice will continue to fill London's subway cars until a replacement is needed, he said.

[mennowoman]

If she thinks the Tube is dreadful, I hope she never has to ride a Czech train! It makes the NY subway system look like a limousine service.

[brianbwb-2009]

"The thought of being stuck in the Tube with strangers for minutes on end and having to listen to endless repeated messages of my own voice fills me with horror,"

What is so incomprehensible about that?

"She said using the service every day had been "dreadful."

"Jury: London Cops Guilty In Tube Shooting"

So how is she wrong, Mr Hodges?

[thisandthat1]

How DARE she have an opinion!

[sharncedar]

Somehow the British stopped fighting for freedom because their rebels all went to the USA. But now they need to step up again. No country can afford to lie down, America isn''t leading on this issue anymore, so Brits have to find their nuts again.

No corporation or government employer has a right to punish you or in any way intrude on your private activities performed outside the work environment. That is a basic freedom, the freedom to spend your free time in howaever a manner you please, to bash your company if you choose, to dress in animal skins, whatever you choose. A company can only control the time it pays you for, the rest belongs to you.

That principle is worth fighting for, worth dying for. brits - get some nuts you cowards.

[closethippy1]

I think the woman has a sense of humor. I''d also be petrified if my voice was heard every so often on the PA subway system.
And having to spend time with strangers in a tube-like room is no fun, either. (Unless, of course, if she is about my age with a cute little nose and cute little lips.)
So why fire someone who can laugh at themselves? Isn''t that a desirable trait if you''re looking for an employee who can work with you no matter what?

[b-easy63]

If they keep using her voice, they should pay her royalties. So Big Brother is alive and well in Britain, eh? Can not speak against or criticize a company? Why not? Makes her seem more real and sincere. The tube can''t take a bit of criticism?

Hey Brits: Remember, Remember that day in November....."V" .

[gkc99]

Put this in perspective--the Crown Prince of the UK wishes he were a tampon.

[shanev137]

If I was her I''d sue the city...oh that''s right, she doesn''t live in America.

[missingamerica]

A wonderful opportunity for one of the offshoring firms to replace Ms. Clarke remotely; offshoring her voice would certainly further the apparent goal of eliminating any possibility that her replacement would actually know what they were talking about.

[sonofapundit]

Yeah, heaven forbid they actually gracefully take criticism in stride; I think her commentary is actually pretty funny. Why do we tolerate the idea that just because the criticism comes from an underling it is presumed wrong? Who would know better?