Controversy Erupts Over Loudspeaker Call Fine at French Train Station

Wed Oct 22 2025 20:40:14 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A man fined for using loudspeaker during a phone call at Nantes station is challenging the penalty amid debates on noise regulations in public transport.

David, a 54-year-old man, faces a €200 fine for calling his sister on loudspeaker at Nantes station. After disputing the penalty, he hired a lawyer to challenge SNCF's security staff claims, highlighting cultural perceptions of phone etiquette in public spaces and noise regulations across various countries.

A man named David has ignited a controversy after being fined €200 at Nantes train station for making a phone call on loudspeaker. This incident occurred on a Sunday, during which David was engaged in a conversation with his sister when a security staff member from SNCF, the French railway company, approached him.

In an interview with French broadcaster BFM TV, David recounted the exchange, explaining that he was initially informed that he would face a €150 fine if he didn’t switch off the loudspeaker. He asserts that this penalty rose to €200 when he failed to settle it immediately. In response, he has retained legal representation to contest the fine, which he believes to be unjust.

SNCF confirmed that their security personnel issued the fine within a designated quiet area of the station. The company disputed certain aspects of David's account, indicating that the interaction escalated before the fine was enforced. They emphasized that their security staff are empowered to levy fines against passengers who violate noise regulations.

While public loudspeaker use is not addressed by any national laws in France, disturbances caused by sound devices in public transport scenarios can lead to penalties under specific noise control laws. According to the French Transport Code, actions that disturb public peace with excessive noise can result in fines.

Cultural sentiment around phone usage in public spaces varies considerably worldwide. Recent surveys reflect that a significant majority of respondents in Britain consider loud speakerphone usage in shared environments unacceptable.

To mitigate noise issues, various train operators have taken different approaches. In the UK, certain train lines have introduced "quiet coaches" where passengers are expected to maintain a low noise level. Similarly, Trenitalia in Italy offers "silent areas" on their Frecciarossa trains, providing a space geared towards passengers seeking a quieter journey.

Countries like Japan uphold strict social norms regarding public behavior, with explicit guidelines discouraging phone conversations on trains, branding such actions as inconsiderate. South Korea’s Busan Transportation Corporation echoes this sentiment by advising passengers to engage in quiet conversations while utilizing vibration settings on their mobile devices.

This incident at Nantes station sheds light on the ongoing tensions surrounding public communication etiquette and noise pollution regulation in varying cultures and transit systems across the globe.