PASSENGERS USING Dundee Station have hit out at a First ScotRail recorded message telling them how to walk up and down a flight of stairs.

Although most have been safely doing it from childhood, train operator First ScotRail apparently thinks some may be in need of instruction.

The policy was slammed as the “nanny state gone mad” by one commuter and even First ScotRail staff say the repetitive message is driving them to distraction.

A male voice sounds whenever a passenger triggers a sensor on the stairs leading down to the railway platforms.

The message he pronounces, parrot-fashion, is, “Customers are reminded to always use the handrail and take care on the stairs.”

The message plays four times in a row and then cuts out—unless another passenger again triggers it.

A member of staff checking tickets at the turnstiles leading to the platforms said, “It wouldn’t be too bad if it only played once in a while but it seems to be triggered time after time.

“All we hear the whole day is that message and it’s got us going mad. Quite a few passengers have complained about it but there’s nothing we can do.”

The message is especially trying for people waiting for a train who make use of the seating outside the station cafe. They are exposed to the baritone voice usually throughout the duration of their wait.

One passenger told The Courier, “If they don’t do something about it, I’m going to go around the bend. It just repeats and repeats incessantly while you’re sitting there.

“The human race has been able to handle stairs for probably a few thousand years. Even my mum let me walk up and down them unaided when I was about two. Why does this train company think that we need a constant reminder?”

Another added, “This is just the nanny state gone mad.

“First ScotRail seems to think we’re all idiots.

“If we haven’t got the wit to get up and down a set of steps, how are we supposed to be able to get on and off a train?

“What will it be next—please put one foot in front of the other when walking along the platform?

“I can only think that they’re scared someone falls and then sues them.

First ScotRail launched a safety campaign earlier this year which focuses on passenger safety whilst at stations and it is understood the message forms part of the campaign.

A spokeswoman said, “We are aware of a fault with the current system, which is being rectified.

“As part of our safety campaign the reminders are in operation at other stations and are proving a success in terms of increasing customer safety awareness.”