Avanti take needless announcements to a new level

[Elecman]

I have been badly scolded on Avanti train when someone took the cup out of the bag immediately they left the counter. Then spilled it all over my right arm ( still have the scar ) when the train lurched over some pointwork

 

[87electric]

Some of those announcements are quite useful though, the doors do close suddenly and if you haven't been on Avanti before you mightn't know about it.

Repeating the announcements after every stop though can get tiring, so maybe once or twice on the journey is enough?

Unless there's a better way: put stickers on the doors reminding people.

Maybe a vinyl wrap covering the whole external carriage bodywork with every conceivable announcement printed to read as you walk by. But then there would be announcements to read the announcements. Monty Python anyone?
There are too many announcements by Avanti and passengers just tune out. I do it and I see others do it.
I would also add that the quality of the public address system leaves a lot to be desired at times.

 

[Russel]

This policy I find particularly baffling. The last (and only) time I bought a hot drink I was given it in a bag due to this policy (I did try to decline)... which I had to immediately remove it from lest it spill. Who thinks carrying drinks in a bag is a good idea?!

I'm starting to think that simply banning passengers from trains and stations in the name of "health and safety" would be the best solution all round...

It would also be helpful when the WCML and Thameslink core fall apart on a weekly basis, there won't be any passengers to inconvenience!

 

[blimmo]

Usually not, due to physics as it’s a pendulum and slightly closer to the ground; but regardless I’d say it’s arguably better to have it half contained in the bag than all over yourself or anyone that happens to be beside you when it happens? Buys you a few seconds to find somewhere to deal with it as well.
It’s not a perfect solution but it’s affordable and effective enough imo

Fair enough, I can see the reasoning.

 

[londonbridge]

It's just risk assesment box ticking.

All totally pointless, however.

The allergy one irritates me the most, if I have a nut allergy for example, I won't order the salted peanuts, it's called taking responsibility for your own wellbeing, something that seems lost on many these days.

So Natasha Ednan-Laperouse was taking responsibility for her own well being when she ate the Pret sandwich and subsequently died as a result of her allergic reaction to sesame, which was not listed in the ingredients then?? Why do you think we have Natasha’s Law, it’s there so that people with allergies to specific products are made aware that certain item are not suitable for them. It may iriritate people in good general health, but to others it can literally be the difference between life and death.

As to the question of bags for hot drinks, I was once in the back seat of the carriage next to the catering, such that all I had to do was literally step across the vestibule and I was in the shop, got a cup of tea, still had to have a bag.

 

[JordR]

Why do you think we have Natasha’s Law, it’s there so that people with allergies to specific products are made aware that certain item are not suitable for them. It may iriritate people in good general health, but to others it can literally be the difference between life and death.

To make businesses list ingredients correctly, which is not the point being complained about here. If you have a severe allergy I think it's entirely reasonable to be responsible for asking and you shouldn't need to be prompted by the retailer.

Is there any evidence that this mountain of announcements actually does reduce liability? Can anyone point to avoided or reduced claims because they told their customers that water is wet every 15 minutes?

 

[Russel]

So Natasha Ednan-Laperouse was taking responsibility for her own well being when she ate the Pret sandwich and subsequently died as a result of her allergic reaction to sesame, which was not listed in the ingredients then?? Why do you think we have Natasha’s Law, it’s there so that people with allergies to specific products are made aware that certain item are not suitable for them. It may iriritate people in good general health, but to others it can literally be the difference between life and death.

A company not listing an ingredient isn't really the same as what is being discussed here though, is it?

 

[MatthewHutton]

To make businesses list ingredients correctly, which is not the point being complained about here. If you have a severe allergy I think it's entirely reasonable to be responsible for asking and you shouldn't need to be prompted by the retailer.

Is there any evidence that this mountain of announcements actually does reduce liability? Can anyone point to avoided or reduced claims because they told their customers that water is wet every 15 minutes?

When you go to a restaurant the staff do seem to ask several times about allergies these days. I am not sure it is bad.

That said ask the questions to the actual customers.

 

[43096]

On an Avanti train on last Friday, usual announcements about the catering, but then launched into a 'Mission Statement' about how Avanti are 'serving' you. I felt embarassed on his behalf. Unnecessary, tedious, and, of course, unconvincing.

The correct response to this is to ask the staff member announcing this drivel if they know the difference between a "Mission Statement", "Values Statement", "Vision Statement", "Purpose Statement" and "North Star".

 

[londonbridge]

A company not listing an ingredient isn't really the same as what is being discussed here though, is it?

Point is that catering providers now have a duty of care to make customers aware of products which may not be suitable, by asking if you are aware of any allergies you have they can ensure they are not providing you with potentially harmful product.

 

[sheff1]

When you go to a restaurant the staff do seem to ask several times about allergies these days. I am not sure it is bad.

That said ask the questions to the actual customers.

Indeed, restaurants ask customers. They do not play messages over a PA to people outside who have no interest in entering, or even to those looking at the menu in the window deciding whether to enter.

 

[TUC]

So Natasha Ednan-Laperouse was taking responsibility for her own well being when she ate the Pret sandwich and subsequently died as a result of her allergic reaction to sesame, which was not listed in the ingredients then?? Why do you think we have Natasha’s Law, it’s there so that people with allergies to specific products are made aware that certain item are not suitable for them. It may iriritate people in good general health, but to others it can literally be the difference between life and death.

If you mean that, if you know you have an allergy it is your responsibility to make it known and to check ingredients, not for you to expect staff to remind everyone to say so, yes it is.

If the ingredient in question isn't on the list with the product, not sure how any number of announcements help that.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Please take care of doors closing as you walk through the train.

Doors closing? On a train? Who would have thought it!

 

[Russel]

Point is that catering providers now have a duty of care to make customers aware of products which may not be suitable, by asking if you are aware of any allergies you have they can ensure they are not providing you with potentially harmful product.

So, push the responsibility for your wellbeing onto the caterer, rather than taking responsibility for what you put in your own mouth?

 

[Lewisham2221]

Doors closing? On a train? Who would have thought it!

Given the large number of trains on the network nowadays that don't have internal doors, I imagine it's quite easy for someone who usually travels on such trains to get caught out by a door that decides to starts closing as you're starting to walk through it - i.e the door's already open as you approach it, so you don't even realise there's a door there, then it starts closing on you as you're walking through, especially the Pendolino gangway doors which open and close as a pair.

 

[Russel]

Given the large number of trains on the network nowadays that don't have internal doors, I imagine it's quite easy for someone who usually travels on such trains to get caught out by a door that decides to starts closing as you're starting to walk through it - i.e the door's already open as you approach it, so you don't even realise there's a door there, then it starts closing on you as you're walking through, especially the Pendolino gangway doors which open and close as a pair.

If it starts to close as you walk towards it, you press the open button and it opens again!

Honestly, nonsense like this says a lot about the way society is going.

 

[Toby268]

If it starts to close as you walk towards it, you press the open button and it opens again!

Honestly, nonsense like this says a lot about the way society is going.

You say this, but the amount of people that still manage to walk into those doors, or are caught off guard by them is ridiculous. Accident form galore because of it.

 

[driverd]

Gosh people do like to get awfully hot under the collar about announcements.

Given that its has been a mainstay of trains for well in excess of 20 years now (especially intercity runs), may I suggest if you find it so bothersome, you try alternative methods?

The traincrew announcements, in my opinion, are generally appropriate and useful (with the exception of repeated info at every station, such as see it, say it...). If the train is delayed, its good to know, but I do agree its a fine balance between announcing the eta at the next 20 stations when delayed by 5 mins, and giving genuinely helpful info such as "we will next call at x and, owing to a delay of y mins, expect to arrive at z". Thats enough for people to do the mental maths for their station further down the line. On a long journey like Aberdeen, I'd suggest a diligent TM would announce something along the lines of "as we have left Kings Cross 5 minutes late, all being well, we expect to gradually reduce this delay until York, at which point we should be back on time". In terms of delays, thats enough to be useful, without being excessive.

Its easy as seasoned rail users to have strong opinions on these matters, but you have to remember there are plenty of rail users who are irregular travellers. The complex fare structure and multitude of posters and announcements about how you might be sent to prison for boarding the wrong train is enough to give many an anxiety attack - so keeping folk in the loop and helping to advise about disruption and the service details really does go down well quite often. Of course, the most useful thing any operator can do is encourage the TMs to be very proactive and visible within the train.

Though, I will categorically agree that a trolley host announcing the full menu does my head in!

 

[TUC]

You say this, but the amount of people that still manage to walk into those doors, or are caught off guard by them is ridiculous. Accident form galore because of it.

I think that is partly because a previous generation of trains, such as HSTs, had foot sensors which would open the doors automatically in response to stepping on them. Why these haven't been fitted to more recent trains is somewhat puzzling.

 

[Russel]

You say this, but the amount of people that still manage to walk into those doors, or are caught off guard by them is ridiculous. Accident form galore because of it.

All part of todays blame culture.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

If it starts to close as you walk towards it, you press the open button and it opens again!

Honestly, nonsense like this says a lot about the way society is going.

You should have seen the door on my 158 this morning, normally the button just needs a quick tap and will open the full way, but for some reason the door just slammed shut the moment I took my finger off the button, and took holding it for a good moment before it decided to open fully (and caught someone out getting off).
Only ever seen that a couple times before so caught me out

 

[Russel]

You should have seen the door on my 158 this morning, normally the button just needs a quick tap and will open the full way, but for some reason the door just slammed shut the moment I took my finger off the button, and took holding it for a good moment before it decided to open fully (and caught someone out getting off).
Only ever seen that a couple times before so caught me out

That's a defect though, not the norm.

 

[DarloRich]

The correct response to this is to ask the staff member announcing this drivel if they know the difference between a "Mission Statement", "Values Statement", "Vision Statement", "Purpose Statement" and "North Star".

That is unfair. No one in the word knows the difference between those things!

 

[nanstallon]

I am actually surprised they don't keep reminding passengers that tea and coffee may be HOT.

Please don't give them ideas!

 

[43096]

That is unfair. No one in the word knows the difference between those things!

Exactly. So they won't do it again!

 

[Trainman40083]

Please don't give them ideas!

Okay.."Do you drink the soap"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2025 ==

Okay.."Do you drink the soap"

"Don't drink the soap". I am sure we have all seen it

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I am actually surprised they don't keep reminding passengers that tea and coffee may be HOT.

They should remind people to bite and chew responsibly too! Don't take too large a mouthful etc.
Then they could move onto people who may be at risk of eating the card/film packet which a sandwich comes in.

Then there is the old joke:
Patient: Doctor, I get a pain in the eye whenever I drink a mug of tea.
Doctor: Have you tried taking the spoon out.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2025 ==

Okay.."Do you drink the soap"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2025 ==


"Don't drink the soap". I am sure we have all seen it

'Soap' may contain alcohol eg liquid gel disinfectant types, hence some of those with an alcohol problem do drink the stuff, really.

 

[Russel]

Another pointless announcement I've just remembered, on rainy days, around stations we're constantly told to be careful as floors may be slippery...

Yet I can leave the station and walk down the street that is also wet and somehow survive, despite not being reminded that the pavement may be slippery every 30 seconds!

 

[Chrism20]

There is one TM who I've come across a few times that seems to go to town with announcements. On a few occasions after leaving Haymarket they are still rambling away as the train is going over the level crossing at Kirknewton.

Maybe just my opinion but for announcements to sink in with people they need to be short and straight to the point rather than a near fifteen minute monologue that almost gets to the point of telling what ply the toilet roll is in carriage D

 

[QueensCurve]

I am actually surprised they don't keep reminding passengers that tea and coffee may be HOT.

A few years ago when WCIC was still Virgo Intacta, I tried to refuse to take the bag on waste-minimisation grounds. This caused considerable distress on the part of the catering staff.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2025 ==

On a similar note, I find it amusing that you can get off a Northern Line train at Euston, walk right along side it as it's pulling out of the station, yellow line inches from the platform edge and everyone lives to see another day, yet you get on an Avanti service from Euston and when you get off at the other end of your journey, the TM almost without fail will be screaming at people to stand away from the sacred yellow line that's a good 2 feet away from the platform edge...

We do really seem to have forgotten why the yellow line was introduced.*

* British rail introduced it in 1976 as a line to stand behind when a train went past the platform at over 100mph in order to be sure nobody was sucked off their feet by the aerodynamic effects of the passing HST or APT.