A man identified only as David has initiated a challenge against a €200 (£166) fine he received for using loudspeaker mode on his phone at a train station in France. Speaking to French broadcaster BFM TV, David recounted that he was conversing with his sister at Nantes station on Sunday when an SNCF employee approached him. He was informed that failing to deactivate the loudspeaker would result in a €150 fine, which he claims escalated to €200 after he did not settle the amount immediately.
David has since engaged a lawyer to contest the penalty. SNCF has confirmed that their security personnel issued the fine in a relatively quiet section of the station. The state-owned railway company has challenged certain aspects of the passenger’s narrative, as reported by the French publication La Parisien. David, who is said to be 54 years old, initially disconnected the call upon being informed of the fine, believing it to be a prank, according to BFM TV. SNCF characterized the situation as a progressively tense exchange between the passenger and a staff member prior to the issuance of the fine.
The company informed BBC News that its security personnel are present on trains and at stations, with the authority to impose fines on passengers. SNCF also confirmed that the fine escalated from €150 due to the customer’s refusal to pay immediately. Ouest-France reported that the incident took place on a Sunday. While there is no overarching law in France that bans the use of mobile phones on loudspeaker in public areas, there are regulations concerning noise control.
The French Transport Code stipulates that individuals using “sound devices or instruments” or causing disturbances through noise in public transport areas may incur a fine.
Public Perception
Opinion polls indicate that speaking loudly in public spaces is one of the most frowned-upon behaviors associated with phone calls. A YouGov survey conducted last year among 2,005 adults in Great Britain revealed that 86% of respondents considered the use of speakerphone in shared environments unacceptable, while 88% shared the same sentiment regarding loud conversations.
Given these strong opinions, various countries have adopted different strategies to address the issue. In the UK, some train operators provide “quiet coaches” or “quiet zones,” where passengers are encouraged to maintain a low noise level. For instance, London North Eastern Railway requests that passengers in these coaches ensure their music is not audible through their headphones and to relocate if they need to make or receive a call.
Similarly, Trenitalia, the Italian train operator, offers a “silent area” in its Frecciarossa train for those who prefer to travel in peace, away from the noise of mobile phones.
In Japan, where cultural norms regarding public behavior are particularly stringent, talking on the phone while on a train is viewed as impolite and is actively discouraged. The West Japan Railway Company has published guidelines urging passengers to keep their voices down and set their phones to silent mode, advising against making or accepting calls on the train. The guidelines state, “Speaking loudly inside trains is an annoyance to nearby passengers.”
In South Korea, the Busan Transportation Corporation recommends that passengers set their phones to vibration mode and “have conversations quietly,” as outlined in their rail etiquette guide available on their website.
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