TfL worker’s announcements become social media hit

Pic: Toby Youell: Ben Mathis

When Ben Mathis thought that commuters at Hackney Wick Overground Station should enjoy their journey more he took to matters into his own hands – and picked up a felt-tip pen. His irreverent customer announcements are now causing a social media storm.

“I thought it would liven the place up a bit” he explained, “and it might get people reading the service update boards more.”

On Monday 15 October, a day after Felix Baumgartner jumped from the edge of space, Mathis, who has been member of Hackney Wick’s station staff since March this year, issued a special courtesy announcement:

STRICTLY No Space Jumping, Sonic booms upset our neighbours.

A photo of that made it to the Facebook page of the music magazine Stool Pigeon.

And on the 20September, there was assistance for those struggling with new technology:

For the benefit of passengers using Apple ios 6, local area maps are available from the booking office.

An image of that day’s announcement board was retweeted 2,206 times.

“I base my comments on the news that day, but I do avoid sex, religion and politics.

‘I want to make the station a bit more friendly.”

Hackney Wick is not the first Overground station to have personalised boards. Throughout 2011, Shoreditch High Street’s board would give reassuring messages to its commuters. This came to an end when the worker responsible was transferred to the TfL control room. If you press the information button in stations, you may well come across him.

Mathis, 30, thinks it’s not an accident that these boards are popular on the East London Line:

“The Overground is there to build communities.

“I met some people from Hackney going to Crystal Palace for a weekend trip the other day. That wouldn’t have happened a couple of years ago.

“And if we can get people to come to Hackney Wick and enjoy its majesty then that’s great.”

By Toby Youell

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