Announcements

[jim8970]

Why do Conductors make announcements when there is a recorded announcement also. I thought that was a conductors job to do so why the recorded one?

 

[387star]

Why do Conductors make announcements when there is a recorded announcement also. I thought that was a conductors job to do so why the recorded one?

Comes in handy when the Conductor is carrying out other duties

When I work a 158/9 I use the centre cab to make announcements but can't do this on 158798 and this can prevent me getting back to make announcements for station stops

On the other hand it inside to hear a human voice however repeating automated announcements seems pointless

 

[Strathclyder]

It comes in handy when the conductor is busy.

 

[jim8970]

so how does it work? I presume either conductor or train driver must push a button somewhere?

 

[Strathclyder]

As far I know, the conductor pushes a button in one of the cabs and the PA system is turned on.

 

[TheJRB]

What I've found on Southeastern on mainline services is that the guard will only make manual announcements where they're providing extra information. So for example on the approach to Ashford from the coast, they'll announce that the train will attach to another portion and onward connection information etc. I think it works best like this as it allows for the guard to get on with the rest of their job whilst still ensuring enough information is given by the automated announcements.
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so how does it work? I presume either conductor or train driver must push a button somewhere?

As far I know, the conductor pushes a button in one of the cabs and the PA system is turned on.

On the 375s (and I presume other Electrostars and Turbostars too) and 395s, there's a handset in each door panel which can be used for announcements.

 

[jim8970]

So I take it that its down to conductors discretion whether the automated announcement is used or not?

 

[Matt Taylor]

On Desiro stock the auto announcements are supposed to be done on every journey as this is how the front/side displays show the destination of the train.

 

[quarella]

Not sure how long this one has been around but at Bristol Parkway I had to endure "Please ensure you apply the brake on pushchairs"

 

[scotsman]

The auto announcements are set up before departure in the cab/Train Manager's office. On pretty much all recent stock, and some older stock (such as Mk4s) have PAs situated throughout the train.

Extra auto announcements can be made by typing in a code into the PIS system in the cab/TM office. There's some good ones in there - this train divides at the next station!

Or you can just press the PA button, the hold the button to talk!

 

[CC 72100]

On pretty much all recent stock, and some older stock (such as Mk4s) have PAs situated throughout the train.

Extra auto announcements can be made by typing in a code into the PIS system in the cab/TM office. There's some good ones in there - this train divides at the next station!

Not on the MK4s I hope!

 

[NorthernSpirit]

It has been known for a passenger to make an announcement with permission from the guard (if they're busy selling tickets). All the passanger does is yell the next station stop.

 

[Urban Gateline]

It has been known for a passenger to make an announcement with permission from the guard (if they're busy selling tickets). All the passanger does is yell the next station stop.

A bit different to SWT then where Yobs sometimes break into the door control panels and abuse the PA...experienced that a few times when just travelling as a passenger on late night services, mostly on the Weybridge via Hounslow line!

 

[318259]

Do they type a code to activate extra announcements? That explains the weird stuff I hear at Partick sometimes.

Usually, the driver will play an extra "passenger safety information notices" spiel at Partick. But sometimes you get a bizarre announcement about only leaving the station by designated exits, and not trespassing on the railway. Which seems odd for a station on a high-up bridge with no other way down.

 

[scotsman]

Do they type a code to activate extra announcements? That explains the weird stuff I hear at Partick sometimes.

Usually, the driver will play an extra "passenger safety information notices" spiel at Partick. But sometimes you get a bizarre announcement about only leaving the station by designated exits, and not trespassing on the railway. Which seems odd for a station on a high-up bridge with no other way down.

Yup, or so I'm told

 

[BestWestern]

Manual announcements, when done well, are far better than robotic rubbish. A computer welcoming you aboard rather lacks sincerity, as does it's brother at the station who apologises endlessly whenever something is late. A crisp, clear and informative manual announcement is far superior, but sadly not everyone in the job can do them (or be bothered to) and so we shall all have to endure the digital droaning for all eternity.

You only have to stand on a platform during disruption to see how automatic CIS can easily fall over when things don't go entirely smoothly, or travel on certain rolling stock to see how PIS can end up sounding rather silly (unexplained gaping pauses in station lists on SWT, and Southern's system interrupting itself midway through telling you which coach you're sat in immediately come to mind).

 

[scotsman]

A bit different to SWT then where Yobs sometimes break into the door control panels and abuse the PA...experienced that a few times when just travelling as a passenger on late night services, mostly on the Weybridge via Hounslow line!

Like this: "What's the matter with you?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g15Luq1-0XU

 

[physics34]

on southern we have to endure a guard who tells us to take out artificial limbs, small children, kitchen sink etc etc with you when you leave the train.

 

[Hellfire]

Sometimes there are just too many on-board announcements and there is no consistency to them.

I travel on VT every week. Do we need to be told every time which end of the train is a First Class and which Standard. Given that we are already sat there we know already. Then we get encouraged to read the safety notices in the vestibule. If everyone in the train did that you wouldn't be able to move.

When the TM has finished someone on the catering crew gives us a long run down of everything for sale in the shop. It all gets a bit much particularly when you have chosen to sit in a quiet coach first thing in the morning.

 

[Iskra]

Sometimes there are just too many on-board announcements and there is no consistency to them.

I travel on VT every week. Do we need to be told every time which end of the train is a First Class and which Standard. Given that we are already sat there we know already. Then we get encouraged to read the safety notices in the vestibule. If everyone in the train did that you wouldn't be able to move.

When the TM has finished someone on the catering crew gives us a long run down of everything for sale in the shop. It all gets a bit much particularly when you have chosen to sit in a quiet coach first thing in the morning.

I agree. It's relentless. Plus the strange pings and jingles of the pendo.

Headphone's are a must. PA silence is underrated.

 

[Mugby]

Plus the fact that you get "Welcome to this Virgin train to xxxxx, calling at xxxxx" twice after every station stop.

Once is enough, when the train is on the move again surely most people know where it's going and it's a bit late if they don't!

 

[sbt]

For me the worst problem has now been curtailed. SWT no longer play their 'We know you are all fare evading scum and if we find you don't have a ticket we will visit horrible tortures upon you. Seriously, we DO think you are untermenchen and loathe you more than we can express'[1] on a 5 minute cycle. Hearing a group of people (a firm, in this case) express contempt for your honesty, memory and basic understanding over 100 times a week gets to you after a while. Unfortunately one of the results is that you are less likely to give the immediate representatives of that group you encounter (ie. rail staff, however blameless) the respect and politeness they deserve.

[1] The real world announcements start 'You must have a ticket to travel on this train'.

 

[gogogoadam]

Plus the fact that you get "Welcome to this Virgin train to xxxxx, calling at xxxxx twice after every station stop.

Once is enough, when the train is on the move again surely most people know where it's going and it's a bit late if they don't!

I don't like the Pendo announcements for two reasons:

1) I would prefer 'Virgin Trains service to' than 'Virgin Train to' (sorry a bit pedantic!)

2) And when the woman reads the list of calling stations she always seems to end abruptly at the penultimate station - it just seems odd.

Another thing that annoys me is, as a regular traveller on FGW HSTs, TMs announcing 'this is the 13.00 FGW service through to London Paddington'. Why through to? Saying 'through' adds no value at all, and they all seem to do it!

 

[RPM]

The DDA regulations lay down a minimum requirement for audible announcements, and frankly what they regard as a minimum is what many passengers regard as intrusive and excessive.
Generally on DOO services you will get fewer announcements if the auto announcing is inoperative because although drivers are supposed to make the same announcements as the auto system would, there is an easement on the DDA regulations for DOO which means drivers can skip announcements if they feel their attention needs to be focussed on a more safety critical task. It is a very grey area which allows some drivers to make virtually no announcements at all on the grounds that they don't think it is safe. The truth is that most of them are either being bloody minded or they're scared of using the PA!

 

[Hellfire]

I understand the need for safety announcements but even those are overdone. You leave Preston going South and get the full works. This is the xxx service to London Euston calling at xxxxx. Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the train. ( it's years since this law was passed) CCTV is installed for "your comfort and safety." Read the safety announcements in the vestibule. Ten minutes later you get the same thing all over again when leaving Wigan and yet another set of the same announcements when leaving Warrington BQ. That's three times in 20 minutes.

Just as you are recovering from all this, on comes the shop guy. My pet hate is the bloke who obviously fancies himself as a comedian and gives us a run down of what's in the papers before listing every single item on the menu. For goodness sake, shut up!

 

[thelongestroad]

Unfortunately one of the results is that you are less likely to give the immediate representatives of that group you encounter (ie. rail staff, however blameless) the respect and politeness they deserve.

Just as you are recovering from all this, on comes the shop guy. My pet hate is the bloke who obviously fancies himself as a comedian and gives us a run down of what's in the papers before listing every single item on the menu. For goodness sake, shut up!

Damned if we do, damned if we don't......

 

[Jonfun]

Sorry to be blunt, but if folk think that announcements are useless and annoying, then wear headphones. Announcements are of great use to many people - such as the blind, or those less familiar with train travel, and having a friendly voice on the tannoy really can subconsciously change the mood of the train from a negative one to a positive one.

Of course, if you choose to wear headphones, then don't blame the staff when you miss an important announcement...

 

[RailAleFan]

I don't like having to be told to report anything suspicious to a member of staff or the police every 5 minutes.

I know we all need to be security concious in this day and age but there's no need to try and make everybody paranoid when they're trying to enjoy a nice train journey!

 

[Urban Gateline]

For me the worst problem has now been curtailed. SWT no longer play their 'We know you are all fare evading scum and if we find you don't have a ticket we will visit horrible tortures upon you. Seriously, we DO think you are untermenchen and loathe you more than we can express'[1] on a 5 minute cycle. Hearing a group of people (a firm, in this case) express contempt for your honesty, memory and basic understanding over 100 times a week gets to you after a while. Unfortunately one of the results is that you are less likely to give the immediate representatives of that group you encounter (ie. rail staff, however blameless) the respect and politeness they deserve.

[1] The real world announcements start 'You must have a ticket to travel on this train'.

If you hated that announcement you would hate London Overground ones even more, about every third stop the announcements about having a valid ticket or Oyster card or being liable to a penalty fare is announced! Especially as the Overground has stops every minute or two!

 

[GatwickDepress]

Sadly, Class 395 automated announcements do not go "This is coach E of L."