Automated Announcements

[Bittern]

The 334 one is annoying as hell.

"This is...Blantyre...This train is for...Larkhall... The next stop is Hamilton West."

The 318's is much better, but I prefer that on the 156s, 158s and 170s. The 322's sounds nice as well but I've never actually been on one.

 

[jon0844]

There is a minimum standard of announcements (I can't find it anywhere) but it is far exceeded on many (most) trains. There should be announcements informing customers of the next stop and the destination, but can't see the need for anything more than that.

I think that many TOCs now require some form of announcement about reading safety instructions, although only when starting the service (although 317s with CIS will repeat the announcement after Finsbury Park). Beyond that, you're on your own.

I have to say that all drivers give the safety announcement and announce the service itself (time and stopping pattern) but most then stay silent for the rest of the service if there isn't an automated system in place. Many passengers may prefer peace and quiet, but there are certain rules on account of the fact that there are people who struggle to see and hear (I've helped a few people get out of Old Street to go to Moorfields eye hospital, and how are they supposed to know they're at Old Street?).

Could you give an example? Unfortunately I've never been on one of these trains

The driver is always very happy, announces the train service, safety instructions, stopping pattern and then adds in the time of arrival at the destination. He will then play various announcements, including the 'Ladies and Gentlemen, here's a special announcement...' on how to use the doors, about leaving seats clear of bags for other passengers and some other interesting ones from time to time. I don't know how the CIS works, but he seems to know all the buttons or codes to use!!

He will also manually announce the next station (even though a 365 does at least manage this), and often the remaining stopping pattern for people who have just boarded. Oh, and the announcement to tell people to keep bags off seats and how to respond to the hustle alarm, and keep clear of the doors..

To be honest, it's a little too much (I get off by Hatfield, by Cambridge you may want to kill him), but nobody seems to look upset as he sounds too happy!!

 

[Addington]

I hate stupid snobby people who complain about them. I saw a blind guy miss his stop the other day because of the lack of auto/driver announcements. This was at Wendover. I think announcements should be re-enabled no matter what the stupid public think.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, on topic:

Julie Berry herself kindly recorded this for me for a project.

http://dump.no/files/563e3efee3d1/Announce.mp3

I must admit that when I travelled from Hastings to Southampton Central, by the end of the journey I was almost over being welcomed aboard, but I'd still prefer that over nothing at all. I would have throught that DDA rules would have required announcements regardless. I recall South West passengers complaining about excessive announcements when I was there.

Well done on getting Julie to speak for you, I preferred her over the other female voices.

 

[Aictos]

I think that many TOCs now require some form of announcement about reading safety instructions, although only when starting the service (although 317s with CIS will repeat the announcement after Finsbury Park). Beyond that, you're on your own.

I have to say that all drivers give the safety announcement and announce the service itself (time and stopping pattern) but most then stay silent for the rest of the service if there isn't an automated system in place. Many passengers may prefer peace and quiet, but there are certain rules on account of the fact that there are people who struggle to see and hear (I've helped a few people get out of Old Street to go to Moorfields eye hospital, and how are they supposed to know they're at Old Street?).



The driver is always very happy, announces the train service, safety instructions, stopping pattern and then adds in the time of arrival at the destination. He will then play various announcements, including the 'Ladies and Gentlemen, here's a special announcement...' on how to use the doors, about leaving seats clear of bags for other passengers and some other interesting ones from time to time. I don't know how the CIS works, but he seems to know all the buttons or codes to use!!

He will also manually announce the next station (even though a 365 does at least manage this), and often the remaining stopping pattern for people who have just boarded. Oh, and the announcement to tell people to keep bags off seats and how to respond to the hustle alarm, and keep clear of the doors..

To be honest, it's a little too much (I get off by Hatfield, by Cambridge you may want to kill him), but nobody seems to look upset as he sounds too happy!!

Yeah, I know that driver - Believe he's a Hitchin man.

As to the 313s, I know they're old but they do need a automatic CIS system like the 317s have installed which could easily be done.

 

[thefab444]

Well done on getting Julie to speak for you, I preferred her over the other female voices.

I rather dislike her, she doesn't have a commanding voice required for announcements (she has a tendancy to almost whisper) - I'm sure her voice is brilliant for adverts, but on train announcements, no. Her work in the 80s and 90s on station recorded announcements for Infomat was rather amusing though. Very happy and shouty is how I would describe it.

But, having said that, that Chiltern clip is rather good, but I can imagine with lots of diesel noise in the background, she wouldn't be loud or imposing enough to be heard.

 

[bengley]

I rather dislike her, she doesn't have a commanding voice required for announcements (she has a tendancy to almost whisper) - I'm sure her voice is brilliant for adverts, but on train announcements, no. Her work in the 80s and 90s on station recorded announcements for Infomat was rather amusing though. Very happy and shouty is how I would describe it.

But, having said that, that Chiltern clip is rather good, but I can imagine with lots of diesel noise in the background, she wouldn't be loud or imposing enough to be heard.

Chiltern 165s are very quiet onboard. Their 168s are a headache though.

 

[dave12435]

Im in annoying Annie (i think)
she always sounds like she needs winding up and sounds like she just couldnt be bothered
shes at most of the stations round here including Tonbridge

 

[466.networkers]

As for Southeastern, here we go.

Class 375 + 376 - full automated announcements.
Class 465 - none AFAIK (not sure if it's being rolled out as per the 466s)
Class 466 - Being rolled out, same announcements as Electrostars except no audio "This is X. This train is the service to Y. Calling at A, B and Y." etc.
Class 395 - full automated announcements.

 

[Addington]

I rather dislike her, she doesn't have a commanding voice required for announcements (she has a tendancy to almost whisper) - I'm sure her voice is brilliant for adverts, but on train announcements, no. Her work in the 80s and 90s on station recorded announcements for Infomat was rather amusing though. Very happy and shouty is how I would describe it.

But, having said that, that Chiltern clip is rather good, but I can imagine with lots of diesel noise in the background, she wouldn't be loud or imposing enough to be heard.

When I was at Cardiff Central, I found platform zero was really good for recording, until a railcar terminated there. Thankfully it shut down as its departure to Ebbw Vale Parkway was some time off. Most of the major stations I went to played the announcements in the concourse area, so recordings were obtainable mostly without noise, just people.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

As for Southeastern, here we go.

Class 375 + 376 - full automated announcements.
Class 465 - none AFAIK (not sure if it's being rolled out as per the 466s)
Class 466 - Being rolled out, same announcements as Electrostars except no audio "This is X. This train is the service to Y. Calling at A, B and Y." etc.
Class 395 - full automated announcements.

Thanks 466.networkers, I was hoping Southeastern had something. I only saw them outwardly at Hastings, but had similar displays to Southern.

 

[thefab444]

Thanks for the tip regarding Cardiff Central. I'd be very interested to listen to your recordings if you upload them somewhere.

 

[313103]

'Welcome on board this London Overground service to Stratford, the next station is Imperial Wharf'

All class 378s for London Overground have these rather pesky automated announcements.

Not very clever at weekends when London Underground tend to shut down as the automated announcements dont mention that the Jubilee Line at West Hampstead and Stratford, the Victoria Line at Highbury & Islington and the Gospel Oak to Barking Line are all closed! Even though the FCC service through H & I finish at 22.00 and does not run on Weekends the automated announcements still carry on regardless.

I am also not impressed that they bloody announce Chelsea Football Club at West Brompton but not at Highbury & Islington for Londons No 1 football club Arsenal, but i suppose my team doesnt need it advertised as most fans know what station to get off at.

 

[Mojo]

I am also not impressed that they bloody announce Chelsea Football Club at West Brompton but not at Highbury & Islington for Londons No 1 football club Arsenal, but i suppose my team doesnt need it advertised as most fans know what station to get off at.

Indeed, what is the point in these announcements? If you're going to go somewhere surely you'd do some research beforehand and find out what station you need to alight at?

 

[Bittern]

Strange. At Hyndland, you get "Alight here for Gartnavel Hospitals", but that's the only station I know ScotRail have an "Alight here for" message.

 

[Addington]

'Welcome on board this London Overground service to Stratford, the next station is Imperial Wharf'

All class 378s for London Overground have these rather pesky automated announcements.

Not very clever at weekends when London Underground tend to shut down as the automated announcements dont mention that the Jubilee Line at West Hampstead and Stratford, the Victoria Line at Highbury & Islington and the Gospel Oak to Barking Line are all closed! Even though the FCC service through H & I finish at 22.00 and does not run on Weekends the automated announcements still carry on regardless.

I am also not impressed that they bloody announce Chelsea Football Club at West Brompton but not at Highbury & Islington for Londons No 1 football club Arsenal, but i suppose my team doesnt need it advertised as most fans know what station to get off at.

It's interesting that you say that the announcements dont see closed stations or lines. I have read that London Underground announcements take switch between peak and off peak modes. You think open and closed stations would be just as important.

 

[jon0844]

The new systems are supposed to be able to get live running information, so they can announce station or line closures, delays and so on... perhaps these features aren't set up yet?

 

[MCR247]

I know on the DLR when the Jubilee Line was closed it didnt announce it at Canning Town when I was there

 

[Mojo]

When I last used c2c (and this was a long time ago judging by what I'm going to say below), the announcement at Upminster was "and on Mondays to Saturdays only, Great Eastern services to Romford."

 

[313103]

The new systems are supposed to be able to get live running information, so they can announce station or line closures, delays and so on... perhaps these features aren't set up yet?

Perhaps the new system relies on me ( Conductors) to update the passenger, but if the Conductor is not given the infomation beforehand then not even he / she can do it.

Drivers have one of many screens in his/her cab and one of them has the pre recorded announcements set up, the problem being is that they hardly ever use them, and the Conductors have not been given a password to activate them either from the rear cab. We wasnt even told the trains could this by activating a password. So i just let the announcements play along the merry way, so if it gives out the wrong info, that really has nothing to do with me.

I am sure the passengers wouldnt want to hear my droning voice all the time.

 

[rick9525]

On TPX they guard had to follow the auto announcements to remind customers to take their tickets with them due to ticket checks and barriers etc.

Slightly different as on London Buses, they now all have these pre recorded announcements. Its useful but can provide comic moments like when it announced for the person standing on the stairs to sit down. This had to be said twice before the guy realised he was the issue and sat down.

Another one apart from the obvious route etc was "this bus is being held to help timings" or words to that effect.

 

[me123]

When I last used c2c (and this was a long time ago judging by what I'm going to say below), the announcement at Upminster was "and on Mondays to Saturdays only, Great Eastern services to Romford."

On the North Clyde Line, the Springburn Branch is closed on Sundays. Nevertheless, Fletcher Mathers cheerily announces that you can change there for Springburn regardless of the day.

This is particularly criminal, in my opinion. Not only can you not change there for services to Springburn, you should in fact be changing at Glasgow Queen Street for a Cumbernauld line service. Considering that they're set up for the different Sunday services anyway (with Drumgelloch-Helensburgh services going all stops via Singer), I surprised that they can't simply take that out.

 

[jon0844]

Another one apart from the obvious route etc was "this bus is being held to help timings" or words to that effect.

I think it says to regulate the flow, which probably confuses many passengers!

It's certainly true that an announcement that is automated isn't likely to be noticed if it's aimed specifically at someone. I guess triggering one to say 'no smoking' is one thing, but otherwise people probably just switch off.

 

[Addington]

Thanks to everyone for their help so far. I have been Wikipedia-ing all the information given in the posts, and have now stumbled upon information pertaining to SPT in Glasgow. It described an automated announcement system on the Argyle and North Clyde Lines http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strathclyde_Partnership_for_Transport, is this an information point style system, or overhead?

While I was in the Southern operating area, this format of announcement played at stations through information points, in addition of overhead (sometimes).

 

[thefab444]

On a completely different note to the previous posts, but I thought I may as well use the existing announcements thread rather than create yet another; I noted the other day that the systems at East Croydon and Clapham Junction (both Ditra with Phil Sayer/Celia Drummond) were unable to say "Imperial Wharf", skipping straight to "West Brompton for Earl's Court". Bit of an oversight given that the station has been known about for a good year or so. I'm not sure if the ATOS system used at Sheperd's Bush (amongst many other places) can say "Imperial Wharf" though.