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Metro Upgrades PA System

38 stations get new sound system

Friday, Dec 19, 2008 | Updated 7:47 AM EST

Larry Levine

Bring the beat back: Metro's fly new soundsystem.

WASHINGTON -- Tired of asking strangers, "What did she say?" every time Charlie Brown's teacher makes an announcement inside a Metro station?

Those days could be long gone, as Metro has started using a new public address system in dozens of underground rail stations in hopes of improving poor sound quality.

Passengers have long complained about inaudible messages in the cavernous concrete stations, and Metro hopes a $7.5 million upgrade in 38 stations helps fix the problem.

The new public address system includes speakers on most station platform pylons and walls. Two chimes are played just before an announcement to get passengers' attention.

Speakers were originally installed behind the stations' concrete arches, often creating echoes that made announcements difficult to understand.

Metro also announced Monday that it has replaced the radio system inside its Rail Operations Control Center. The original equipment was more than 30 years old.

The following Metrorail stations have the new public address system: