So many announcements, so few people taking them on board

[ThirteenArches]

GWR train, Bristol to Taunton (& beyond?), last Saturday. The train was too long for Nailsea and Blackwell (despite it being two places), and the conductor announced that only the leading door of coach G would open. This was repeated on the annunciator. But for Yatton, next stop down, the situation being exactly the same. the conductor announced a list of coaches that would open (just once), but it didn't appear as text. Glad I'm not hard of hearing, eh? whaddyasay?

health and safety nonsense

Health and safety is NOT nonsense. The misuse of it as an excuse should be a criminal offence.

 

[Deepgreen]

I think we're all agreed on that! Unfortunately Labour governments tend to be even more obsessed with health and safety nonsense than Conservative ones so I can't see SeeItSayItSortIt going anywhere time soon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==


Perhaps there should be occasional announcements aimed at station staff reminding then to treat rail passengers with civility and respect instead of screaming at them as if they were naughty children?

The thing is that the vast majority of platform/train interface accidents are either suicides or slips boarding or alighting. The number of times someone actually accidentally falls in front of an approaching train is minute, so the whole yellow line issue is hugely overblown. In the days of slam door trains it would have been far more meaningful, but today it is just an exercise in screaming and shouting. Of course, one negative impact of frequent irritating announcements is that more and more people blot them out with headphones, thereby leaving themselves vulnerable to missing the occasional important information (and steadily making the rest of the information redundant anyway).

 

[Bikeman78]

Well yes but then the "mitigation" that the announcements provide on the risk assessment to "control" the risk of those hazards will be lost meaning that the risk of any accident will increase.

Barmy? Yes. But that's basically how it works. So much of stuff like this is just implementing "control" measures on a risk assessment. The fact that these control measures actually do the square root of ruddy nothing is by the by (and indeed might increase the risk due to actual important messages being drowned out), the main thing is that if anyone does then fall down the stairs the railway (or any other company for that matter, this sort of thing is all over the place) can then wave their risk assessment in court if anyone sues them.

I can't get my head around the idea that someone would try to sue if they fell down the stairs. Let's assume that there are handrails and that the steps have not been greased. Put it another way. If someone falls down the stairs at home, who do they try and sue? The people that built the house?

 

[ainsworth74]

I can't get my head around the idea that someone would try to sue if they fell down the stairs. Let's assume that there are handrails and that the steps have not been greased. Put it another way. If someone falls down the stairs at home, who do they try and sue? The people that built the house?

Oh the odds are very low I agree, unless some sort of obvious negligence is involved (say they hadn't gritted them during an icy spell for instance), but 50p will say that's why we get pointless announcements like this. It allegedly reduces the risk on the risk assessment and therefore shows that they've done everything possible to reduce the risk should any claim ever come before a court.

Now you and I both know that this sort of message is utterly pointless. But that's why so many of them exist.

 

[Deepgreen]

I can't get my head around the idea that someone would try to sue if they fell down the stairs. Let's assume that there are handrails and that the steps have not been greased. Put it another way. If someone falls down the stairs at home, who do they try and sue? The people that built the house?

The difference is simply public and private environments - public environments imply maintenance to a 'safe' condition by an 'authority', whereas at home it is the householder's responsbility. Suing for anything is rife in the US and is heading over here steadily too.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

We also don’t talk enough about the infuriating written announcements that take up the entire departure screen. You just catch a brief glimpse of it before the whole thing turns into yet another safety message.

 

[physics34]

If you see something that doesn't look right, report it to a member of staff or text the British Transport Police on 61016.. we'll sort it.
See it, say it, sorted.

Just though you needed a reminder.

 

[I_am_Nobody]

We also don’t talk enough about the infuriating written announcements that take up the entire departure screen. You just catch a brief glimpse of it before the whole thing turns into yet another safety message.

Oh, that does remind me of one infuriating experience I had while travelling a few weeks back... The entire platform CIS was taken up by a "Meet the Managers" session invite! Sure, I'll meet your manager, to ask why you're removing the train details from the CIS and making it difficult for me to confirm I am on the right train.

 

[Sad Sprinter]

If you see something that doesn't look right, report it to a member of staff or text the British Transport Police on 61016.. we'll sort it.
See it, say it, sorted.

Just though you needed a reminder.

"Daddy what was 2020s Britain like?"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==

Oh, that does remind me of one infuriating experience I had while travelling a few weeks back... The entire platform CIS was taken up by a "Meet the Managers" session invite! Sure, I'll meet your manager, to ask why you're removing the train details from the CIS and making it difficult for me to confirm I am on the right train.

"Take care using the station in inclement weather"

On a crisp, autumn's day...

 

[Peter C]

Get rid of every single automated announcement. Especially the ones that hector and nanny - 'carry a water bottle' 'take care when using the stairs' 'Do not run' 'carry your dog'

[My bold]
The only time I ever find one of these announcements of any use is the last one - mostly because I always think of the scene from the Paddington film a few years ago where, upon arriving at a Tube station, our chap from deepest darkest Peru reads a sign which says 'dogs must be carried' and so nicks someone else's in order to be completely compliant on the escalator. Not to mention him 'standing on the right'... his right leg, that is!

-Peter

 

[CaptainHaddock]

"Daddy what was 2020s Britain like?"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==

"Well son, there was a terrorist attack in 2005 but, despite the lack of evidence, the railway carried on scaring its customers by pretending there was an imaginary terrorist threat to the UK for another twenty years after that"

 

[800001]

I can't get my head around the idea that someone would try to sue if they fell down the stairs. Let's assume that there are handrails and that the steps have not been greased. Put it another way. If someone falls down the stairs at home, who do they try and sue? The people that built the house?

But the minute these people step out of a house, everything becomes someone else fault.

I worked at a large station, and the amount of time people slipped or tripped coming down stairs, due to there own fault for not watching what they are doing or on there phone, you could guarantee a legal response would come blaming the railway for causing there accident.

 

[Wolfie]

"Well son, there was a terrorist attack in 2005 but, despite the lack of evidence, the railway carried on scaring its customers by pretending there was an imaginary terrorist threat to the UK for another twenty years after that"

I'm sure that the folks in MI5 and Counter-Terrorist Police units who are making regular arrests will be chuffed to know that some random bloke on the interweb says that the threat is imaginary.

 

[physics34]

"Well son, there was a terrorist attack in 2005 but, despite the lack of evidence, the railway carried on scaring its customers by pretending there was an imaginary terrorist threat to the UK for another twenty years after that"

Ha ha. It's is overplayed I've got to say. And yes it does bring a negative vibe to the journey. As does so and so lifts are out of service blah blah blah

 

[Discuss223]

I think we're all agreed on that! Unfortunately Labour governments tend to be even more obsessed with health and safety nonsense than Conservative ones so I can't see SeeItSayItSortIt going anywhere time soon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2024 ==


Perhaps there should be occasional announcements aimed at station staff reminding then to treat rail passengers with civility and respect instead of screaming at them as if they were naughty children?

It's a safety critical situation. I am all for politeness and great service but if someone is putting themselves in danger, despite the line being clearly marked, sometimes a loud and firm order is necessary.

 

[Wolfie]

It's a safety critical situation. I am all for politeness and great service but if someone is putting themselves in danger, despite the line being clearly marked, sometimes a loud and firm order is necessary

Exactly. Staff are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

 

[Jimini]

It's a safety critical situation. I am all for politeness and great service but if someone is putting themselves in danger, despite the line being clearly marked, sometimes a loud and firm order is necessary.

Are you referring to arbitrary yellow lines on platforms? I don't buy that if so, respectfully.

 

[Discuss223]

Are you referring to arbitrary yellow lines on platforms? I don't buy that if so, respectfully.

Yes, it's universally understood that a yellow straight line means danger/do not cross. There are also signs on platforms stipulating to stand behind the yellow line. Safety Critical staff can be held legally liable for any injuries or deaths that occur. There was an incident a few years ago in Liverpool James Street when a person sadly fell under the train and died as a result of their injuries and a criminal case was brought against Merseyrail staff. I'd rather have an announcement to remind customers to stand behind the line than being told that smoking is not permitted in the station (something that's been law since 2007).

 

[Lewisham2221]

Ha ha. It's is overplayed I've got to say. And yes it does bring a negative vibe to the journey. As does so and so lifts are out of service blah blah blah

Rather handy to know if the lifts at "so and so" are out of order if you need to use the lifts there (due to disability etc) so that you can make alternative arrangements (i.e alight at a different station).

 

[Jimini]

Yes, it's universally understood that a yellow straight line means danger/do not cross. There are also signs on platforms stipulating to stand behind the yellow line. Safety Critical staff can be held legally liable for any injuries or deaths that occur. There was an incident a few years ago in Liverpool James Street when a person sadly fell under the train and died as a result of their injuries and a criminal case was brought against Merseyrail staff. I'd rather have an announcement to remind customers to stand behind the line than being told that smoking is not permitted in the station (something that's been law since 2007).

All fair points; thanks for the reply. Maybe I'm just a bit jaded from listening to the incessant shouts from the platform staff at Coventry!

 

[The exile]

Rather handy to know if the lifts at "so and so" are out of order if you need to use the lifts there (due to disability etc) so that you can make alternative arrangements (i.e alight at a different station).

Maybe if they spent a little less time and money on new announcements and other bells and whistles and more on actually repairing those lifts…. Think it’s been about 8 weeks at Bristol Parkway now with “porters” to help - incidentally ignoring the direction signs on the stairs as they do so.

 

[physics34]

Rather handy to know if the lifts at "so and so" are out of order if you need to use the lifts there (due to disability etc) so that you can make alternative arrangements (i.e alight at a different station).

When i worked in the customer services dep, we were always told to keep negative announcements to a minimum... if passengers hear 'lifts out of use' every 2 minutes it gives across a feeling of poor maintenance etc. I understand it's probably a requirement now to have these announcements, but their must be a better way to communicate this

 

[LowLevel]

Funnily enough. Last week whilst returning from Nottingham, the service arrived (Liverpool - Norwich). The auto announcer decides the train is already at Grantham and "the next station is Peterborough." That caused a bit of mirth. Once the two units had been split and as the dispatch procedure was taking place 'Digital Doris' suddenly blurts out "this is train to Liverpool Lime Street, calling at..." That caused a bit of consternation amongst some, as the driver took power and departed. A passenger next to me looked concerned and enquired if it was actually the train to Norwich. I assured her it was. A few moments later the guard made a clear announcement confirming it was the train to Norwich.

TrainFX can in certain circumstances revert to the previous route entry before the train was coupled once it is uncoupled, which is a bit tedious - you could just say "TrainFX is tedious" to be fair and it would be accurate.

The same if the GPS has frozen and it is working on the door cycles instead, releasing and locking the doors to uncouple or couple can make it skip stations.

Both issues can usually be resolved by tripping and resetting every PA breaker in every cab on the train which is once again, tedious.

It is a terrible system.

 

[Deepgreen]

If you see something that doesn't look right, report it to a member of staff or text the British Transport Police on 61016.. we'll sort it.
See it, say it, sorted.

Just though you needed a reminder.

There simply isn't time to report everything that is wrong...

 

[TimSpencer]

Someone at NR or a TOC wanting to cover their backsides does not mean the announcements are anything but annoying drivel for most passengers, and they need to hear that.

They have heard that inasmuch that I have written to numerous TOCs on the subject. The replies are generally polite but disinterested. So I have now written to the Rail Delivery Group and the Ministry for Transport.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Dec 2024 ==

Why do announcements cause such angst on this board? - can you not just zone them out and let it wash over you? The way some posters go on you would think the entire journey was some kind of white noise torture! It really isn't that bad.

( it is easy done without losing awareness of what is being said - honestly - try it - don't get so wound up! It isn't worth it)

Some people have a greater capacity to filter out unwanted noise than others. No two people are the same. I think part of the problem is that if you travel occasionally, say once or twice a month, you are not immersed in announcements every day so when you do travel and become subjected to the drip drip drip of intrusive repetition, it is hard to filter out. It's like tinnitus , it can be very distressing when you first get it but after a while you habituate to it.
Having said that, I find no excuse for the psychological warfare that the TOCs and NR continue to wage upon us, making the railway an increasingly unpleasant environment.

 

[Wolfie]

Someone at NR or a TOC wanting to cover their backsides does not mean the announcements are anything but annoying drivel for most passengers, and they need to hear that.

Many of those announcements, like it or not, arise out of recommendations arising from previous incidents. They will not be going away.

 

[DarloRich]

Having said that, I find no excuse for the psychological warfare that the TOCs and NR continue to wage upon us, making the railway an increasingly unpleasant environment.

lets not get carried away. This kind of statement doesn't help your argument.

 

[BrummieBobby]

I travelled on a Glasgow to New St train a few weeks back, I think it was a new low for onboard announcements. After each stop between Preston and New St, we were treated to:

Train manager announcing "I have turned the automated announcements off so you don't have to listen to them!" Before proceeding to repeat the automated announcements word for word.

Train manager announcing that there was no onboard shop available for the duration of the service.

Catering staff separately announcing that there was no onboard shop for the duration of the service.

Train manager "humorously" pronouncing Milton Keynes Central as "Milk and Beans" every single time...

Train manager cracking jokes about every station / location the train stopped at; again, presumably for "humour"

Honestly, next time I am sticking my fingers in my ears...

 

[bramling]

lets not get carried away. This kind of statement doesn't help your argument.

These days I’m not sure it’s an exaggeration.

If one makes a journey on a stopping train nowadays it can be a complete bombardment of announcements, and frankly the see it say it sorted thing repeating every few minutes is starting to have the feeling of gaslighting.

Stations are no better. LU is just a constant bombardment of rubbish, and has been for some years now, and mainline is going that way. At my local GTR station there’s recently appeared a PA about having the right ticket, which marks a return of that really awful male who speaks in pantomime tones that we last heard making announcements during Covid.

It really is starting to feel like it all fits in with the whole “government absolutely despises the population” feeling that’s overshadowed this country for some years now.

It’s so pleasing to be on a train where the driver has switched it all off, as a few do.

 

[DarloRich]

These days I’m not sure it’s an exaggeration.

just zone out. it isn't a problem unless you make it one. Just let it wash over you. It is very easy. I am on the train daily. it just isn't worth the froth on this board. Worse things happen at sea, apparently.

repeating every few minutes is starting to have the feeling of gaslighting.

It really is starting to feel like it all fits in with the whole “government absolutely despises the population” feeling that’s overshadowed this country for some years now.

Come on! step away from the right wing influencers. WEF (?) or some such aren't ordering people to make announcements. This is just over the top nonsense.