Why Do BART Announcements Sound So Ancient? episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 17, 2026 · 15 MIN

Why Do BART Announcements Sound So Ancient?

from The Bay · host KQED

You know the sound: a robotic, ancient-sounding voice as you wait for BART: 6-car Blue line train for OAK Airport in 15 minutes.  In America's tech capital, why do BART announcements sound so old? In this episode from our friends at Bay Curious, reporter Ana De Almeida Amaral sets out to find the answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You know the sound: a robotic, ancient-sounding voice as you wait for BART: 6-car Blue line train for OAK Airport in 15 minutes.  In America's tech capital, why do BART announcements sound so old? In this episode from our friends at Bay Curious, reporter Ana De Almeida Amaral sets out to find the answer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why Do BART Announcements Sound So Ancient?

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This episode was published on April 17, 2026.

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You know the sound: a robotic, ancient-sounding voice as you wait for BART: 6-car Blue line train for OAK Airport in 15 minutes.  In America's tech capital, why do BART announcements sound so old? In this episode from our friends at Bay Curious,...

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