For over three decades, commuters in Munich, Germany, have been guided by the familiar voice of Sabine Bundschu on the city’s public transportation system. However, that comforting presence is facing potential change as the Münchner Verkehrsgesellschaft (MVG), Munich’s transport company, plans to transition to a uniform, artificial voice for all announcements.
Bundschu, who has recorded announcements for the subway, bus, and tram networks since , is a recognizable figure to many Munich residents. Her voice delivers everything from stop notifications – “Next stop: Sendlinger Tor” – to essential safety reminders. A recent Instagram post featuring Bundschu highlighted the impending shift, sparking a wave of concern and protest among passengers.
The MVG’s decision mirrors a trend seen in other cities, notably London, where the Transport for London recently replaced the voice of announcer Elinor Hamilton with a text-to-speech system at Colindale Station. Hamilton, who recorded her announcements , expressed sadness at the change, stating that using a computer voice “takes away the joy of traveling to London.”
Unlike the Transport for London, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in New York City has dismissed the possibility of replacing its iconic voice, Bernie Wagenblast, with an AI bot. This decision offers a contrasting approach to the situation unfolding in Munich and London, demonstrating a willingness to preserve a familiar and valued element of the public transportation experience.
The MVG has been utilizing text-to-speech technology for several years to create announcements and generate voice output for new applications, such as reading steles. Currently, a variety of synthetic voices are in use alongside recordings from real speakers like Bundschu. The move towards a unified voice aims to ensure consistent quality and technical compatibility across the entire network.
According to an MVG spokesperson, the transition to a single AI-generated voice will improve comprehensibility and allow for easier and faster production of announcements. The AI will be capable of vocalizing the names of all subway stops, tram stops, and bus stops within the city. The MVG estimates that approximately passengers used Munich’s public transport in , averaging around passengers per day – all of whom have been accustomed to hearing Bundschu’s voice.
The announcement of Bundschu’s potential replacement has been met with strong opposition online. Comments on the Instagram post expressing concern and disappointment have garnered significant attention, with many users vowing to protest the change. One user wrote, “Please don’t replace this wonderful woman with an AI voice,” directly addressing the MVG. Another declared, “If It’s to be replaced by AI, then I will take to the streets.” Others simply pleaded to leave “that unmistakable voice” undisturbed, arguing that “anyone can do AI.”
While the MVG acknowledges the plans to replace Bundschu’s voice, a firm start date for the transition has not yet been established. The company is currently focused on establishing the necessary technical infrastructure to support the new system. The MVG spokesperson indicated that the AI will be able to replicate the pronunciation of stop names currently voiced by Bundschu.
The situation in Munich highlights a growing debate about the role of artificial intelligence in public spaces and the value of human connection in everyday experiences. While AI offers potential benefits in terms of efficiency and consistency, the emotional resonance of a familiar voice – one that has become synonymous with a city’s public transportation system – should not be underestimated. The response from Munich commuters underscores the importance of preserving elements that contribute to a positive and recognizable urban environment.
