Frustrated EC guard announcement

[island]

On a recent ECML trip from Edinburgh to Kings Cross, the guard made a very long announcement before departure. The gist of it was like this:

"Welcome aboard the 1200 East Coast service from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross. This is your guard speaking. This train will be calling at [...] Please be aware that coach B is our quiet coach. If you are situated in coach B, please place your mobile phone in silent mode and refrain from using personal electronic devices that produce sound audible by the person next to you.

This is an East Coast service. Tickets marked CrossCountry Only are not accepted; the CrossCountry service is across the platform. Please check your ticket now. If you are travelling on an Advance ticket then please verify that you are on the right train according to your reservation coupon, and are sitting in the right seat. If you are travelling on a Railcard-discounted ticket, you must have your Railcard with you. If you have just checked your ticket and discovered that it is not in fact valid, or you have any queries or are unsure, please see me before departure. I am currently in coach J towards the front of the train. Please be aware that customers not in possession of a valid ticket will be required to buy a new one at the cost of £146, and will not be able to avail of any reductions or discounts.

I will be performing a ticket check shortly after departure. Please have your tickets out and ready for inspection. If you are using an Advance ticket I need to see the reservation coupon that came with it as well. If you are using a Railcard-discounted ticket, I must see your Railcard as well. In order for me to be able to proceed and assist customers, please have all of these items out and ready for me as I pass through, and please remove your ticket from any wallet or cover, as I will be stamping it.

Once again this is the 1200 East Coast service to London Kings Cross."

Unfortunately the requests seem to have fallen on deaf ears: the guard only made it through first class and to coach G by the time of the crew change at Newcastle. I went to the buffet car twice while in Scotland, and each time the guard was sat down there writing UPFNs!

 

[142094]

ATOC were supposed to have made ticketing less confusing. Seems to me like it is more confusing than it used to be.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

That all sounds a very familiar speech to me.
There's subtle variations to the text between guards, some emphasising the use of 'the vestibule area' for phone calls, and some emphasing the invalidity of tickets marked for travel on other operators' services, and few ientify which coach they are in when making the announcement; but the general format is quite normal on EC.

It may be a long speech, but doesn't it make it easier if the guarf then finds someone travelling at 'the wrong time', with 'the wrong operator' or on a combination of tickets requiring a stop where the train doesn't call, if (s)he can then refer back to the advice and information given before travel?

 

[island]

I'm not especially complaining about the length, more lamenting how depressing it is that despite the announcement the guard didn't manage to grip even half the train between Edinburgh and Newcastle because he was too busy UPFNing people!

 

[Clip]

I'm not especially complaining about the length, more lamenting how depressing it is that despite the announcement the guard didn't manage to grip even half the train between Edinburgh and Newcastle because he was too busy UPFNing people!

So in other words, people didnt listen to his announcement. Didnt board the right train they had a ticket for and through their own fault got in bother..

 

[gordonthemoron]

same on my last Leeds-Grantham journey, guard did not get to our coach (E) during the journey

 

[O L Leigh]

I think he gave fair notice. Well done to him.

Too many people fail to understand the restrictions on the validity of their tickets. It's actually not that complicated because all the information is actually printed on the ticket itself or on one of the other coupons that come with it. I recently travelled from London to Glasgow and back on advance first tickets and the information was very explicit.

**EDIT**

As to whether people listen to announcements or not, my experience is that they don't. Quite frankly I could be talking to myself up in the cab for all the difference it makes. And even when they do hear they seem to think that what is being said doesn't apply to them.

I've been approached by people at Liv St with advance tickets who ask me things like, "My ticket is for the 1630, but it's OK to use it on the 1600 isn't it". Er, no.

O L Leigh

 

[185]

Sounds like Kenny - Legendary Newcastle conductor for East Coast.

The only conductor in the UK to have thrown a driver off the train for travelling home passenger on an earlier service. Reported several TPE and Northern staff for using his train to work, even though he uses Northern to go home.

When I worked at GNER, the first time I worked with him, an Asian chap had him pinned up by the neck against a vestibule wall 'darth vader' style. Popular bloke.

 

[37372]

Sounds like East Coast alright, and I reckon I know which guard it was too...

 

[whhistle]

And you managed to write it all down? :P

 

[rail-britain]

Sounds like gripey-the-grip was on that service
Some Train Managers will simply advise the passenger are on the wrong train and to change at Newcastle
However, others will pull out the rule book and charge for the WHOLE single fare

It used to be common at Edinburgh where passengers ended up on the wrong service, and continues to be an issue from what is now Platforms 8 and 9

 

[PhilipW]

Perhaps one day (though probably not in my lifetime) we can go back to the "buy a ticket, get on a train" philosophy and abolish all these endless restrictions.
Far far too many restrictions and ticket types.

 

[chris89]

Quite intresting really, all the times i've traveled on IC services people are told they will be checking tickets then fumble around to get them out.

For edinburgh, on VWC services that annoucment saying if for XC Or EC services leave the train as they were due after, and i guess one reason now why the VT trains stop down on Platform 7 instead of 11 now.

Chris

 

[LexyBoy]

Fair enough to warn people (or at least attempt to) that their tickets may not be valid, and give them a chance to amend them before departure. Of course, not everyone gets on the train long before departure, and not everyone pays attention to announcements. The issue of operator-specific fares is particularly pernicious, as excessing them is not permitted, so new ticket time it is, despite holding a supposedly flexible ticket.

Sounds like gripey-the-grip was on that service
Some Train Managers will simply advise the passenger are on the wrong train and to change at Newcastle
However, others will pull out the rule book and charge for the WHOLE single fare

They can only charge for a single as far as Newcastle (unless the passenger wishes to stay on the train further of course).

 

[Capybara]

Yes, people don't listen to announcements, and it is particularly infuriating when the train has been stationary for a few minutes that when the guard comes on to explain why, people simply talk through the announcement meaning that they and, more importantly, others who are actually interested in what is being said, don't hear. Perhaps if there weren't so many pointless announcements during the typical journey then more people might listen.

 

[island]

Sounds like Kenny - Legendary Newcastle conductor for East Coast.

Not unless he's after trading in the Northeast accent for a Scottish one

 

[googolplex]

I agree about people talking over the announcements, it can be rather irritating.
In addition to ticket announcements, I once heard a Scottish EC guard making repeated announcements about luggage being left in the aisles and vestibules, each time sounding more and more annoyed.

 

[YorkshireRider]

Perhaps if there weren't so many pointless announcements during the typical journey then more people might listen.

Well said! My fellow colegues drive me mad with 2 min long buffet announcements, listing just about everything on the menu, i just prefer to say its open , where on the train you can find it and if there is a trolley running, end of announcement. What else does one expect to find at the buffet but food and drinks

 

[LE Greys]

Not unless he's after trading in the Northeast accent for a Scottish one

Can't remember the name, but I think I know who you mean. Regularly did the Scottish leg of the Northern Lights when I was travelling to/from Aberdeen in GNER days.

 

[Urban Gateline]

Well said! My fellow colegues drive me mad with 2 min long buffet announcements, listing just about everything on the menu, i just prefer to say its open , where on the train you can find it and if there is a trolley running, end of announcement. What else does one expect to find at the buffet but food and drinks

Count yourself lucky you don't have to listen to automated announcements like we do on SWT, every few minutes they alternate:

• Safety information is displayed in all coaches, please do try to keep all your personal belongings with you, if you see anything suspicious, please tell a member of staff (staff meaning the 1 guard!!)
• Closed circuit television and remote video recording is in use on this train
• Welcome aboard this South West Trains service to....
• The next station is....change here for....

The guards do welcome people to the service at bigger stations but that is all they seem to announce themselves (on Suburban routes at least!)

 

[185]

I do apologise for the short formed train. This is due to aliens abducting the remaining carriages. So please move right down the aisles so we don't leave anyone behind.
Who knows, you may make friends with some one new. Okay mind the doors.
Right, who's that with the red rucksack?!? thats it close them.
Thats better. Right, breathe in.... next stop Leeds in 20 minutes. CCTV everwhere so behave.

*clunk* handset down
(....in the voice & fashion of John Cleese, whilst picking up at 8am at Huddersfield)

 

[Galvanize]

East Coast guards do seem to go on and on, sometimes BEFORE the train's even left, and afterwards! I remember going upto Edinburgh back in July 2009, and there was a change of guard at Newcastle, and a Scottish-based guard took over for the Newcastle-Edinburgh leg.

*Before departure*
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the 14:45 National Express service to Edinburgh Waverley. Please note this train is NON STOP, NON STOP to Edinburgh Waverley. This train calls at Edinburgh Waverley ONLY, once again, this train is NON STOP, NON STOPPING to Edinburgh Waverley. This train does NOT call at Berwick or any other station, customers for these stations, please consult the TV monitors or ask a member of station staff. Please note this train is now ready to depart, the doors are now ready to close, therefore anyone onboard NOT wishing to travel, please return to the platform. The doors are now closing. Once again, this train calls at Edinburgh Waverley ONLY!!!

*After departure*
Good afternoon and welcome aboard Ladies and gentlemen, to the 14:45 National Express service to Edinburgh Waverley, this train is now fast to Edinburgh Waverley-non stop to Edinburgh Waverley, due to arrive and terminate there at 16:18. Once again, we're due to arrive and terminate at Edinburgh Waverley, at eighteen minutes past four, this afternoon.
My name is XXX, the train guard for the Newcastle to Edinburgh leg of the journey. Remember coach B is the quiet coach, electrical equipment CAN be used, as long as you remember to switch it to the silent mode, and if you wish to make a telephone conversation, please use the vestibule area away from other passengers. Please remember it is an offence to smoke on any of our stations or trains...remember NO SMOKING onboard this service. This includes toilets and vestibule areas, also, please note it is also an offence to smoke on any station platform, please ensure you have left the station premises of Edinburgh Waverley, before you think about lighting any cigarettes. Please do not smoke on this train, this afternoon! I'm pleased to announce this train has free Wi-Fi available, please consult the livewire magazine for further details. A full ticket examination is about to commence in a minute, please ensure you have ALL your travel documents ready, any if you have had your ticket checked by the previous train guard, please put your ticket on the table, so that I can see it. A buffet service is available on this train, please listen for further announcements by the team leader, and if myself, and any member of the train crew can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Once again, the next stop will be Edinburgh Waverley, at 16:18. Thank you!

Then he made an announcement to say that the ticket check will commence in Standard Class, then some luggage had fallen off the rack in one of the coaches, and started to ask people to pick it all off the floor! You'd think we'd almost be in Edinburgh by the time that long announcement had finished!

 

[transportphoto]

*Before departure*
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the 14:45 National Express service to Edinburgh Waverley. Please note this train is NON STOP, NON STOP to Edinburgh Waverley. This train calls at Edinburgh Waverley ONLY, once again, this train is NON STOP, NON STOPPING to Edinburgh Waverley. This train does NOT call at Berwick or any other station, customers for these stations, please consult the TV monitors or ask a member of station staff. Please note this train is now ready to depart, the doors are now ready to close, therefore anyone onboard NOT wishing to travel, please return to the platform. The doors are now closing. Once again, this train calls at Edinburgh Waverley ONLY!!!

Am I the only one who thinks that the part of the announcement I have bolded contradicts itself?

Anyone not wishing to travel please return to the platform - the doors are now closing.

 

[O L Leigh]

Perhaps if there weren't so many pointless announcements during the typical journey then more people might listen.

Nope. That wouldn't make one iota of difference.

O L Leigh

 

[junglejames]

Am I the only one who thinks that the part of the announcement I have bolded contradicts itself?

Anyone not wishing to travel please return to the platform - the doors are now closing.

I was thinking exactly that.
You ask people to get off the train if they are on wrong service, then 2 secs later the doors are closing?!!! Bit quick if you ask me.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, anyone noticed the mistake in the guards announcement on the original post?

'Please take your ticket from any wallet/ folder as I will be stamping it'.

Eh, not if its a Rover or Season ticket you wont be!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Nope. That wouldn't make one iota of difference.

O L Leigh

I bet you it would make some difference. Not with everybody, but with some.

 

[Darandio]

I was thinking exactly that.
You ask people to get off the train if they are on wrong service, then 2 secs later the doors are closing?!!! Bit quick if you ask me.

Despite the fact it's already been announced twice already, as often happens? The announcement is generally to state "If you are not intending to travel on this service" as I see plenty of EC staff allowing friends/relatives allowed access to the platform to see loved ones off. Presumably they help them with luggage etc.

Nah, really, you shouldn't be on there in the first place if you are not travelling.

 

[Tom B]

Nope. That wouldn't make one iota of difference.

O L Leigh

I think it would.

Particularly if you travel in London, you continually get PAs telling you how "there is a good service" and "smoking is prohibited" and "24h CCTV is in use" and "due to engineering works, services may be disrupted <insert long list>" - can you blame passengers for 'switching off' and missing the odd useful bit of info?!

 

[route101]

Despite the fact it's already been announced twice already, as often happens? The announcement is generally to state "If you are not intending to travel on this service" as I see plenty of EC staff allowing friends/relatives allowed access to the platform to see loved ones off. Presumably they help them with luggage etc.

Nah, really, you shouldn't be on there in the first place if you are not travelling.

I once got caught out at Glasgow Central and had to go to Carlisle!

 

[spoony]

The guard is entirely right in what he says. However you can tell from such a speech that everyone all round (including the guard) thinks the whole situation is ludicrous!

 

[kkong]

Can't remember the name, but I think I know who you mean. Regularly did the Scottish leg of the Northern Lights when I was travelling to/from Aberdeen in GNER days.

It might be Peter from Aberdeen.

Definitely is if he pronounces it "lug-gage"