Nanjing Metro is taking seriously its ban on the use of mobile-phone loudspeakers which disturb the peace and quiet of trains in transit on their beloved network, once again handing out a fine for the disturbance thereof.
While this publication reported on what was likely the first such fine taking place in all of China a bit less than a year ago, this time, the perpetrator is more happy to shout it from the rooftops themselves.
The lad in question, who appears to be in his early 20s, goes by the name of “Xiao Heihan is me” (小黑晗是我) on one of his social-media accounts. Thereon, he introduced that on the day in question, he did not have time to bring his earphones with him and as a result, did indeed watch his phone on the Nanjing Metro with the loudspeaker on.
Yesterday, 5 March, Nanjing Metro responded to the lad’s post, confirming there were indeed inspectors patrolling in the train’s carriages on that occasion and the offender was penalised.
In a report by Phoenix New Media, a reporter is said to have then travelled the Nanjing Metro herself to verify the claims, going out of her way to watch her mobile phone with the loudspeaker on, although barely. It happened that an inspector passed by. They went on to issue a verbal caution, but not an actual fine.
The incident calls to mind that thought to be the very-first such occurrence of a passenger being fined for noise polluting on a mass-transit system in China, dating from June of last year in our very own Nanjing.
But being the first was not enough to make the offending Nanjing lady in question put down her phone, even as the fine was being issued, as this publication reported at the time.
For the record, readers of The Nanjinger are advised to well note the provisions of Article 38 of the Nanjing Rail Transit Regulations.
In particular, readers are reminded that chewing gum, and carrying folding bikes or pets, are all forbidden on the Nanjing Metro.
Elsewhere therein, a somewhat eye-opening section of the Regulations concerns behaviour affecting the appearance, environmental health and operational order of public space and facilities of the network. For on the Nanjing Metro system, it is not permitted to:
- Distribute printed materials or engage in sales activities;
- Scribble, depict, post or hang articles at will;
- Stack sundries or park vehicles;
- Smoke, spit, defecate, chew gum; or litter with fruit peel, scraps of paper and other waste;
- Beg, perform, lie down, pick up old and useless articles;
- Eat and drink;
- Use fuel or gas-powered wheelchairs or other scooters, the volume or weight of which exceeds the provisions of the passenger code;
- Carry inflatable balloons and bicycles (including folding bicycles);
- Carry live birds, cats, dogs and other pets, as well as other animals that may hinder the operation of the rail transit (with the exception of guide dogs)
- Use skateboards, etc., to ride the Nanjing Metro.
