unprofessional onboard announcements

[AdamWW]

It's what they do abroad - and it also helps those that aren't native speakers of English understand where they are, and what station is next, rather than all of the waffle about texting 61016, reading the safety notices, daring not to breathe etc.

One rather unhelpful thing I came across recently was an announcment an approaching Interlaken West of a list of places NOT to get off there to change for.
If you don't speak any of the languages it was in, the only thing you'd be likely to pick up on would be the destinations, and the obvious conclusion would be that you should get off there to change.
Or indeed possibly if you weren't paying attention to the announcements even if you did understand them.

 

[BlueLeanie]

At East Croydon, around 21:25, the onboard supervisor welcomed us onboard the "vomit comet".

I see that as the onboard staff subtly announcing to sober adult passengers that they are aware of inebriated passengers on board and reassuring them with a live on board announcement that assistance is available.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Bare minimum and that's it. This is the train X, next station Y. The less verbal the better, they need to cut out all of the crap.

It's what they do abroad - and it also helps those that aren't native speakers of English understand where they are, and what station is next, rather than all of the waffle about texting 61016, reading the safety notices, daring not to breathe etc.

It is not "what they do abroad". It may be what some operators in some countries do, but it certainly isn't that straightforward.

As said above people wear headphones to not have their ears punished by this endless amount of verbiage - the irony being that IF there is something that is crucial and needs announcing, they'll miss it ebcause they're plugged in.

I'm certainly not averse to a slightly off-piste annoucement on a late night train with some merry people on board if that's the vibe, but daytime, keep it professional.

Most people wearing headphones whilst on a train aren't wearing them to block out the announcements, they're wearing them because they wear them almost all day, every day.

 

[trainophile]

I frequently wonder what all these headphone wearers are actually listening to. I put my AirPods in when there's rowdy children nearby but even I'm getting a bit tired of my all time favourites playlist. I can't imagine they are listening to world news updates or similar. I suppose there's podcasts, which I have never got the hang of!

 

[leytongabriel]

When did 'arriving into' become 'professional' as a standard railway announcement? It's always jarred when used for stops along the line and the grammar gurus say it's incorrect except when coming into an enclosed space like major terminal.

 

[Uncle Buck]

I’m trying to think of a tactful way to say that I do wonder whether people’s opinions on this issue reflect the degree both to which they have a sense of humour more generally, and to whether they have a preference for a more formal approach to communication in life?

I like to think I have quite a good sense of humour! But I also think that a level of formality is required in our interactions with one another. The two are not mutually exclusive.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Jul 2025 ==

Bare minimum and that's it. This is the train X, next station Y. The less verbal the better, they need to cut out all of the crap.

It's what they do abroad - and it also helps those that aren't native speakers of English understand where they are, and what station is next, rather than all of the waffle about texting 61016, reading the safety notices, daring not to breathe etc.

The Paris Metro announces a station name as it pulls in and then as the doors open. And that’s it. I have never had a problem navigating it.

 

[Mugby]

One little thing I find myself doing of late when travelling is seeing how far my train actually gets before the announcements cease.
Heading North from Derby I've known a train be past Duffield before the waffle ends.
Likewise, heading South from Sheffield, some trains can be almost at Dore before the loud clunk of the handset being slammed back into it's clip!

 

[vjm1975]

I frequently wonder what all these headphone wearers are actually listening to. I put my AirPods in when there's rowdy children nearby but even I'm getting a bit tired of my all time favourites playlist. I can't imagine they are listening to world news updates or similar. I suppose there's podcasts, which I have never got the hang of!

At least they were wearing them . Beijing and Shanghai metros were terrible for people playing videos and music out loud and constant announcements. Even in Osaka there were some quite rowdy teenagers all blasting out music on their phones on the trains I’ve travelled on.

I remember ‘John the friendly neighbourhood guard’ on Merseyrail some years back always raised a smile and gained much appreciation from passengers for his funny announcements.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I frequently wonder what all these headphone wearers are actually listening to. I put my AirPods in when there's rowdy children nearby but even I'm getting a bit tired of my all time favourites playlist. I can't imagine they are listening to world news updates or similar. I suppose there's podcasts, which I have never got the hang of!

I recommend "drone music" like this.

https://somafm.com/player24/station/dronezone

It does an excellent job of drowning out the incessant announcements, screaming kids and other people yelling into their phones but it's not too intrusive to distract you from looking out of the window or reading a book.

 

[John Luxton]

I have heard guards announce that they are going to do a ticket check and for passengers to have "tickets, passes or excuses ready"

 

[rower40]

While I’m familiar enough with most stations that I know this information in advance, I’m sure there are many people on most trains eager to hear the words “The doors will open on the left/right* of the train”.
* Delete as appropriate.

 

[TUC]

While I’m familiar enough with most stations that I know this information in advance, I’m sure there are many people on most trains eager to hear the words “The doors will open on the left/right* of the train”.
* Delete as appropriate.

On Northern trains this appears on the screens, but not in the announcements, which is rather frustrating because it is very helpful information if you are visually impaired.

 

[driverd]

90% of passengers have no particular opinion regarding the announcements. Of the rest 5% will find them annoying/unnecessary/unprofessional etc. and will hasten to their keyboard and possibly this very thread!
But the other 5% will find them helpful/funny/useful and will appreciate the human touch.

Disagree with your ratios on that one. As someone who used to be a guard, made manual announcements and (like to think) struck a good balance between professionalism and humour, I was repeatedly told by the customer relations team that "we know when you're on leave because our positive feedback falls by about 50%", which became a long running joke. I'd say far more than 5% of passengers prefer professional, informative manual announcements, with some small humour elements and (of course, no small factor in getting folk to give feedback) a friendly face coming through the train.

It really is impossible to please everyone!

This bit, however, is very much true!

 

[darloscott]

While I’m familiar enough with most stations that I know this information in advance, I’m sure there are many people on most trains eager to hear the words “The doors will open on the left/right* of the train”.
* Delete as appropriate.

Totally agree with this… it’s one thing they do very well here in Queensland in Australia. To keep on the thread topic, the level of the professionalism in their announcements does vary wildly…

 

[Retorus]

I frequently wonder what all these headphone wearers are actually listening to. I put my AirPods in when there's rowdy children nearby but even I'm getting a bit tired of my all time favourites playlist. I can't imagine they are listening to world news updates or similar. I suppose there's podcasts, which I have never got the hang of!

There’s plenty of new music out there.

 

[MrToad]

Had one a few weeks back going into Waterloo who read out a list of the latest service disruptions on the underground. He said there "were delays on the District Line due to a shortage of drivers", and then followed this up with "so if any of you are fancying a change of career, there may be vacancies for train drivers on the district line".

 

[bramling]

One little thing I find myself doing of late when travelling is seeing how far my train actually gets before the announcements cease.
Heading North from Derby I've known a train be past Duffield before the waffle ends.
Likewise, heading South from Sheffield, some trains can be almost at Dore before the loud clunk of the handset being slammed back into it's clip!

I find this so annoying, to the extent I’m glad my local rail service is DOO so we don’t get this. It’s particularly annoying when you get a guard whose grasp of English is poor so it strings end up getting strung out even more.

 

[Iskra]

I don’t mind the odd bit of humour.

I do find pure nonsense unnecessary though. I’ve just heard an announcement about witches and wizards on the approach to Kings Cross. If you don’t speak the language, long rambling announcements beyond the necessary can be concerning as it makes you think there is disruption and some action to be taken.

 

[driverd]

I don’t mind the odd bit of humour.

I do find pure nonsense unnecessary though. I’ve just heard an announcement about witches and wizards on the approach to Kings Cross. If you don’t speak the language, long rambling announcements beyond the necessary can be concerning as it makes you think there is disruption and some action to be taken.

Maybe for families and tourists who have asked about platform 9 3/4... that tourist attraction in the concourse which usually has a massive queue?

Guards/Conductors/TMs usually have an awareness of what's occurring on their train, so this was likely in response to people asking about it.

 

[TUC]

I find this so annoying, to the extent I’m glad my local rail service is DOO so we don’t get this. It’s particularly annoying when you get a guard whose grasp of English is poor so it strings end up getting strung out even more.

Surely any guard/conductor is required to be fluent in English so that they can appropriately respond and advise during an emergency?

 

[yorkie]

I frequently wonder what all these headphone wearers are actually listening to. I put my AirPods in when there's rowdy children nearby but even I'm getting a bit tired of my all time favourites playlist.

Not everyone exclusively listens to old music; far from it! These days a lot of people access streaming platforms, which will suggest tracks, based on your preferences. And yes, a lot of people listen to podcasts, too. However, any further discussion in this area really belongs in a new thread!

Surely any guard/conductor is required to be fluent in English so that they can appropriately respond and advise during an emergency?

I don't think it's a binary thing; it's possible for someone to be deemed to have sufficient proficiency to get the job, but not sufficient at being good at announcements.

 

[Skiddaw]

Currently en route to Euston from Penrith. Train manager has just announced that ‘You can find on board refreshments in Coach C where our staff will greet you with a beaming smile and then take your money’. Made me smile anyway!

 

[trainophile]

I’ve noticed Merseyrail are going a bit overboard with frequent announcements about their staff will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour. It’s a shame it has to be said, but it kind of puts a damper on your journey.

 

[AlterEgo]

I’ve noticed Merseyrail are going a bit overboard with frequent announcements about their staff will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour. It’s a shame it has to be said, but it kind of puts a damper on your journey.

It doesn't have to be said. All the announcement does is tell law abiding customers that some of the people they may share a train with might be abusive. It's not required to be said and they should stop saying it.

 

[bluerose13x]

I don't mind the odd joke but when it becomes 5 mins of waffley jokes about previous/next stop followed by when we make the next stop 5 mins of waffley comments about previous/next stop continued Ad nauseam .....

And then there are conductors who announce "please get your tickets ready, a full ticket inspect will now take place" and over an hour later at terminus no ticket inspection has taken place. ...

The conductor who switched the lights off and went "woooo" needs to be walked off site asap. Worst of the worst. Unprofessional at very, very best, disgraceful conduct Here to get us from A to B and your playing stupid games. That is me being nice about that incident, and thats not the first time he's been a ..... with his onboard comments.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

It doesn't have to be said. All the announcement does is tell law abiding customers that some of the people they may share a train with might be abusive. It's not required to be said and they should stop saying it.

The problem, sadly, is that it does need to be said. Yes, it will probably not deter the people who are abusive, but it will take away their lazy defence of "well, nobody told me I couldn't be abusive".

And then there are conductors who announce "please get your tickets ready, a full ticket inspect will now take place" and over an hour later at terminus no ticket inspection has taken place. ...

Possibly because they became bogged down in a problem/enquiry and didn't make it to where you were sitting.

The conductor who switched the lights off and went "woooo" needs to be walked off site asap. Worst of the worst. Unprofessional at very, very best, disgraceful conduct Here to get us from A to B and your playing stupid games. That is me being nice about that incident, and thats not the first time he's been a ..... with his onboard comments.

It's against the rules to run in passenger service with no lighting in a tunnel/darkness...if it isn't possible to take a vehicle with failed lights out of service the guard would be expected to stand in it with a torch... so no, they shouldn't be deliberately turning the lights off, even momentarily.
However it's a rebrief and warning not to do it again, not an instant default to sacking!!
I'm guessing you did actually get from a to b, despite the conductor's frivolity?

 

[AlterEgo]

The problem, sadly, is that it does need to be said. Yes, it will probably not deter the people who are abusive, but it will take away their lazy defence of "well, nobody told me I couldn't be abusive".

Nobody thinks it's permitted to be abusive. People who are abusive do it anyway. Do you really think anyone has ever used the defence "well there are no signs or announcements saying don't call the staff names"?

The announcements change no behaviour at all and have no purpose other than to remind decent people that there's a chance someone might kick off. It is such an unserious way to deal with anything.

 

[TUC]

The problem, sadly, is that it does need to be said. Yes, it will probably not deter the people who are abusive, but it will take away their lazy defence of "well, nobody told me I couldn't be abusive".

Sorry, but that doesn't make sense. You don't have to be told stealing is wrong for a charge of theft to hold, or that violence is wrong for a charge of assault to hold.

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Do you really think anyone has ever used the defence "well there are no signs or announcements saying don't call the staff names"?

Indeed I do! In the same way that people have used the defence/excuse that there were no signs telling them not to slip on the wet floor/fall over the step/fall down the gap/cycle up the escalator/walk over the edge of the cliff etc etc.
A (now ex) colleague of mine was dismissed for taking explicit images on his work phone and circulating them (from the same work phone). His defence was that the user policy didn't specifically state you couldn't do such a thing.
I rest my case m'lud!

 

[TUC]

Indeed I do! In the same way that people have used the defence/excuse that there were no signs telling them not to slip on the wet floor/fall over the step/fall down the gap/cycle up the escalator/walk over the edge of the cliff etc etc.
A (now ex) colleague of mine was dismissed for taking explicit images on his work phone and circulating them (from the same work phone). His defence was that the user policy didn't specifically state you couldn't do such a thing.
I rest my case m'lud!

Any 'case' would only be as strong as how gullible the management/HR team were to accept such a specious argument.