Avanti take needless announcements to a new level

[WillC]

I'll be sure to let my autistic friend know that they are indeed wrong and they don't like the comfort of the repetitive audio announcements.

Not all autistic people are the same. As for the fares issue, I completely agree - but until the system is fixed it is confusing for regular folks and so sometimes a warning about it helps to reassure / warn. They even make them as manual announcements which would imply that conductors on certain services clearly regularly get people boarding the wrong train in error.

You can do what you like but I'd suggest reading what I said rather than following your own prejudices, which also seem to include more than a degree of hypocrisy.

 

[TUC]

What is odd are services where the announcement 'this is the train to x, y, z' is only made after the train has departed, which is rather too late for someone to discover their error.

 

[BuhSnarf]

What is odd are services where the announcement 'this is the train to x, y, z' is only made after the train has departed, which is rather too late for someone to discover their error.

Yes, I guess the only option would be to hold the train with doors open at the station which would delay dwell time so that's not good - usually why at the starting station they play it a few times before the train departs.

What the announcements as the train departs does do (know from past experience!) is allow you to realise you're on the wrong train quicker and get off at the next stop to go back / speak to the conductor to find out what the best options are.

 

[Kilopylae]

What is odd are services where the announcement 'this is the train to x, y, z' is only made after the train has departed, which is rather too late for someone to discover their error.

I notice this a lot! It's almost always after the doors have locked. I bet someone must hear that and feel kind of taunted.

 

[jfollows]

What is odd are services where the announcement 'this is the train to x, y, z' is only made after the train has departed, which is rather too late for someone to discover their error.

I’ve had that quite a lot heading out of Euston up Camden bank, yes, I’ve laughed to myself at the time.

 

[BG2024]

Northern now have a new automated announcement telling passengers on their trains to stand back from platform edges. That rivals even Avanti's efforts for pointless annoyance.

 

[JKP]

Funny thing is that having travelled on German and Swiss trains this past fortnight there are no announcements despite some severe gaps at stations. Most trains have a screen showing destination and next stops and on board annoucements. One Swiss inter city train though showed that we were arriving at Lausanne when it was Fribourg, the train was travelling to St Gallen so had called at Lausanne already. There was no on board announcement either. Nobody though looked concerned.

 

[Coleridge]

Funny thing is that having travelled on German and Swiss trains this past fortnight there are no announcements despite some severe gaps at stations.

Between 2012 and 2020, I visited Switzerland every couple of months (my hobby at the time was photographing Swiss railways) and travelled on countless trains in that time. On most if not all lines, the only announcements you hear are "Next station, [name of station]", yet the Swiss seem to manage perfectly well with the gaps between train and platform, with not leaving their luggage behind, with carrying hot drinks through the train while it is moving and not having to be told every 5 minutes to be observant for suspicious packages.

Britain's railways have become so addicted to constant announcements, and the public so used to them, that I doubt that anyone even realises that there are different ways of doing things.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Northern now have a new automated announcement telling passengers on their trains to stand back from platform edges. That rivals even Avanti's efforts for pointless annoyance.

How do they expect people to board their trains in the first place?

 

[WillC]

Between 2012 and 2020, I visited Switzerland every couple of months (my hobby at the time was photographing Swiss railways) and travelled on countless trains in that time. On most if not all lines, the only announcements you hear are "Next station, [name of station]", yet the Swiss seem to manage perfectly well with the gaps between train and platform, with not leaving their luggage behind, with carrying hot drinks through the train while it is moving and not having to be told every 5 minutes to be observant for suspicious packages.

Britain's railways have become so addicted to constant announcements, and the public so used to them, that I doubt that anyone even realises that there are different ways of doing things.

Exactly this. The announcements achieve nothing except to fuel our addiction to being constantly reassured (or irritated). We are perpetually gaslit.

 

[Class 466]

Northern now have a new automated announcement telling passengers on their trains to stand back from platform edges. That rivals even Avanti's efforts for pointless annoyance.

My favourite part being that it announces it at every stop. Not annoying in the slightest on a service with a call every couple of minutes or so...

 

[Bikeman78]

Between 2012 and 2020, I visited Switzerland every couple of months (my hobby at the time was photographing Swiss railways) and travelled on countless trains in that time. On most if not all lines, the only announcements you hear are "Next station, [name of station]", yet the Swiss seem to manage perfectly well with the gaps between train and platform, with not leaving their luggage behind, with carrying hot drinks through the train while it is moving and not having to be told every 5 minutes to be observant for suspicious packages.

Britain's railways have become so addicted to constant announcements, and the public so used to them, that I doubt that anyone even realises that there are different ways of doing things.

This is what baffles me. Humans in the Netherlands, or Belgium, or Germany are essentially the same as in the UK. Day to day life in those countries is similar to the UK. I speak enough Dutch and French to get by. I've never heard any reference to slippery platforms, or mind the gap. There are some huge train/platform gaps in Belgium. How do British people cope if they use trains abroad?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

My favourite part being that it announces it at every stop. Not annoying in the slightest on a service with a call every couple of minutes or so...

Yep I noticed it yesterday and almost posted here about it - I just couldn't remember the exact wording, only the catchphrase "stay back, stay safe"
Earlier this morning I heard another announcement ending with that same catchphrase on a station.

 

[Bikeman78]

Yep I noticed it yesterday and almost posted here about it - I just couldn't remember the exact wording, only the catchphrase "stay back, stay safe"
Earlier this morning I heard another announcement ending with that same catchphrase on a station.

Something else that isn't a thing on mainland Europe. The guard shuts the doors, does a final check, closes the local door, and the train departs. You could have any number of people pressing the open buttons in vain but the train will still move without anyone worrying about it.

 

[Kilopylae]

One Swiss inter city train though showed that we were arriving at Lausanne when it was Fribourg, the train was travelling to St Gallen so had called at Lausanne already. There was no on board announcement either. Nobody though looked concerned.

People always seem to survive in this country when the PIS has a normal and starts claiming we're halfway up the line or announcing stops we won't stop at.

 

[talldave]

My favourite part being that it announces it at every stop. Not annoying in the slightest on a service with a call every couple of minutes or so...

They're obviously competing with SWR for the most irritating TOC award.

 

[speedy1]

This is what baffles me. Humans in the Netherlands, or Belgium, or Germany are essentially the same as in the UK. Day to day life in those countries is similar to the UK. I speak enough Dutch and French to get by. I've never heard any reference to slippery platforms, or mind the gap. There are some huge train/platform gaps in Belgium. How do British people cope if they use trains abroad?

It's the classic case of treating people like idiots and eventually they turn into idiots as they don't have to think any more. Lowest common denominator thinking instead of raising the bar.

IMO much of continental Europe is not like that. Treat people like adults and they may just have to be adults!

Travelling on trains is just audible torture. Take extra care while upgrade work is taking place. Don't stand in the yellow zone. Take care when wet. Announcements of the destination just after the doors closed. Advanced tickets are only valid on the ticket shown on your reservation (volume to the max). If you something that doesn't 'quite look right' (such childish phrasing). I will be walking through the carriage if there is anything you need don't hesitate to ask (since when do we need to be told it's ok to approach staff? Just be approachable). I am currently in the rear of the train and will be making my way through to the front (?? Ok? Do keep us updated about your movements mate...). Don't forget your personal belongings. Retain your tickets as they may be required when exiting this station. Mind the gap

Most of the automated then parroted needlessly by guards some of whom really love their own voice. It's torture and for some journeys it is practically nonstop and it makes me incredibly grumpy if I don't have my noise cancelling headphones

 

[WillC]

It's the classic case of treating people like idiots and eventually they turn into idiots as they don't have to think any more. Lowest common denominator thinking instead of raising the bar.

IMO much of continental Europe is not like that. Treat people like adults and they may just have to be adults!

Travelling on trains is just audible torture. Take extra care while upgrade work is taking place. Don't stand in the yellow zone. Take care when wet. Announcements of the destination just after the doors closed. Advanced tickets are only valid on the ticket shown on your reservation (volume to the max). If you something that doesn't 'quite look right' (such childish phrasing). I will be walking through the carriage if there is anything you need don't hesitate to ask (since when do we need to be told it's ok to approach staff? Just be approachable). I am currently in the rear of the train and will be making my way through to the front (?? Ok? Do keep us updated about your movements mate...). Don't forget your personal belongings. Retain your tickets as they may be required when exiting this station. Mind the gap

Most of the automated then parroted needlessly by guards some of whom really love their own voice. It's torture and for some journeys it is practically nonstop and it makes me incredibly grumpy if I don't have my noise cancelling headphones

100% this ^. It's a sickening reflection on the UK right now, and not just the trains. As an Aussie comedian put it: "why do you Brits need a sign warning about a river? If you can see the sign..."

 

[speedy1]

Sat on a TPE train with a conductor with a grating voice using the dwell time to announce a loud of waffle for a good 3 minutes. "If you have any questions or queries don't hesitate to contact myself" was a particular highlight (it's "Don't hesitate to contact ME" fwiw)

Not being funny but are staff threatened with the sack if they don't repeat the automated announcements and waffle on with a loud of useless crap?

It penetrated my noise cancelling headphones with loud music which really takes some doing

 

[Kilopylae]

I think some staff do it to pass the time!

 

[physics34]

It's the classic case of treating people like idiots and eventually they turn into idiots as they don't have to think any more. Lowest common denominator thinking instead of raising the bar.

IMO much of continental Europe is not like that. Treat people like adults and they may just have to be adults!

Travelling on trains is just audible torture. Take extra care while upgrade work is taking place. Don't stand in the yellow zone. Take care when wet. Announcements of the destination just after the doors closed. Advanced tickets are only valid on the ticket shown on your reservation (volume to the max). If you something that doesn't 'quite look right' (such childish phrasing). I will be walking through the carriage if there is anything you need don't hesitate to ask (since when do we need to be told it's ok to approach staff? Just be approachable). I am currently in the rear of the train and will be making my way through to the front (?? Ok? Do keep us updated about your movements mate...). Don't forget your personal belongings. Retain your tickets as they may be required when exiting this station. Mind the gap

Most of the automated then parroted needlessly by guards some of whom really love their own voice. It's torture and for some journeys it is practically nonstop and it makes me incredibly grumpy if I don't have my noise cancelling headphones

Its generally the idiots working in the dft, idiots working for the train company's 'PIS' and a few idiot Conductors. A huge review is needed instead of this childish aural vandelism.

 

[Fokx]

Sat on a TPE train with a conductor with a grating voice using the dwell time to announce a loud of waffle for a good 3 minutes. "If you have any questions or queries don't hesitate to contact myself" was a particular highlight (it's "Don't hesitate to contact ME" fwiw)

Not being funny but are staff threatened with the sack if they don't repeat the automated announcements and waffle on with a loud of useless crap?

It is a monitored requirement and a conductor standard, so essentially yes...

Do remember that you're posting on a website for train enthusiasts and you're not the 'average' leisure traveller, therefore your own needs and norms differ to most leisure passengers

 

[Tracked]

Sat on a TPE train with a conductor with a grating voice using the dwell time to announce a loud of waffle for a good 3 minutes. "If you have any questions or queries don't hesitate to contact myself" was a particular highlight (it's "Don't hesitate to contact ME" fwiw)

There was one particular guard on TPE pre-Covid who used to be bad for that; to the level of duplicating the automated announcements straight afterwards. Once got on at Sheffield and between him and the automated announcements there was hardly any gap in them both between the train arriving in Sheffield to when it passed Rotherham Masborough.

We had a list of places the busses at Meadowhell served, I'm sure the only reason we didn't get service numbers, stand numbers, and times of these was that he had to shut up for the "please take care when alighting ... " Messaging.

 

[TUC]

Do remember that you're posting on a website for train enthusiasts and you're not the 'average' leisure traveller, therefore your own needs and norms differ to most leisure passengers

I take that point, but it is hard to imagine most passengers wanting the vast majority of these announcements.

 

[DelW]

Do remember that you're posting on a website for train enthusiasts and you're not the 'average' leisure traveller, therefore your own needs and norms differ to most leisure passengers

I actually think that I pay more attention to (particularly manual) announcements than most leisure travellers do, since I'm aware that they might be significant to me. I can think of multiple occasions when I've struggled to hear a guard's announcement about a change to stopping pattern, or terminating short, because the general level of chatter in the carriage hasn't dropped and the announcement is barely audible above the hubbub.

If announcements were restricted to important ones, those groups might stop talking and listen. Most of the time now they take not the slightest notice.

 

[TUC]

I actually think that I pay more attention to (particularly manual) announcements than most leisure travellers do, since I'm aware that they might be significant to me. I can think of multiple occasions when I've struggled to hear a guard's announcement about a change to stopping pattern, or terminating short, because the general level of chatter in the carriage hasn't dropped and the announcement is barely audible above the hubbub.

If announcements were restricted to important ones, those groups might stop talking and listen. Most of the time now they take not the slightest notice.

What I do find frustrating is when there is disruption and the guard/conductor goes out of their way to say 'can I have your attention for a moment please', and some people still keep on chattering. Do they really take no notice of the world around them?

 

[speedy1]

What I do find frustrating is when there is disruption and the guard/conductor goes out of their way to say 'can I have your attention for a moment please', and some people still keep on chattering. Do they really take no notice of the world around them?

Some people don't, some of it's learned. This is the risk you take with so many needless announcements - the rod for your own back. We have a bigger problem in the business world of ignoring human behaviour and focussing too much on legal/compliance/risk/policy etc.

I think the 61016 announcements are sometimes preceded by "ATTENTION" right (or some other station announcement that isn't critical. I can't remember. Maybe it's the do not leave baggage unattended one?)? That's burning through your real attention-needed tokens, every time.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2026 ==

Its generally the idiots working in the dft, idiots working for the train company's 'PIS' and a few idiot Conductors. A huge review is needed instead of this childish aural vandelism.

I suspected DfT idiots were involved. And completely agree on the "aural vandalism"!

 

[DelW]

What I do find frustrating is when there is disruption and the guard/conductor goes out of their way to say 'can I have your attention for a moment please', and some people still keep on chattering. Do they really take no notice of the world around them?

A couple of years ago I was on an SWR Exeter to Waterloo train that was delayed around Templecombe. After Salisbury there were at least two announcements that it wouldn't call at Woking, so pax for there would need to get off at Basingstoke and catch a following local. Very few paid any attention. The guard then walked through the train, asking each group where they were going, and telling relevant ones about the change. Several hadn't realised at all.

It was good practice by the guard, but only necessary because so many pax assume everything is the usual waffle and ignore it all.

 

[Bikeman78]

It is a monitored requirement and a conductor standard, so essentially yes...

Do remember that you're posting on a website for train enthusiasts and you're not the 'average' leisure traveller, therefore your own needs and norms differ to most leisure passengers

The quantity is not even consistent from one TOC to another. Thameslink announcements are mostly restricted to destination, calling pattern and short platform info. I just travelled on one and there was only one other announcement during the 20 minute journey. Sadly Gatwick station ruined my joy by telling people to drink lots in hot weather. How do people that aren't on railway property survive?

 

[CharlieSpotted]

What I do find frustrating is when there is disruption and the guard/conductor goes out of their way to say 'can I have your attention for a moment please', and some people still keep on chattering. Do they really take no notice of the world around them?

Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, smoking and vaping is not permitted.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, please stand behind the yellow line.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, no ebikes or scooters please.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, tickets for the other train company aren't valid on this train.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, if you see something that doesn't look right...
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, I'll shortly be walking down the train.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, today is Tuesday.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, keep your feet off seats.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, we have a code of conduct (!)
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, the platform might be slippery.
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, there might be a gap when you step onto the platform
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, please step off the train backwards if you have a buggy
Ladies and gentlemen, can we have your attention please, there's engineering work in September.

I wonder why people don't listen?

That's burning through your real attention-needed tokens, every time.

Ah, that will be it. Well put.