"Too much information?"

[PHILIPE]

I was sitting on Merseyrail station Hamilton Square recently when an automated announcement told us to stay behind the yellow line. Right in front of me was a painted notice saying the same thing. Also heard an on-board announcement telling people to keep their feet os seats. That was a first for me.

 

[jon0844]

A simple "This is Flitwick. This train is for Brighton, the next station is Luton" is all that's required.

Quite a few drivers already do this.

I can't see a major issue saying 'next stop xxx' before the train has pulled in to a stop, skipping the 'train for xxx, next station xxx' bit when stopped. That WOULD be hard for drivers with loads of things to do, although some still manage it.

 

[A-driver]

Quite a few drivers already do this.

I can't see a major issue saying 'next stop xxx' before the train has pulled in to a stop, skipping the 'train for xxx, next station xxx' bit when stopped. That WOULD be hard for drivers with loads of things to do, although some still manage it.

Drivers do do it from time to time-its consistently doing it that's in practicle. I'm not being precious but some 313 diagrams can see a driver stopping at 90 stations a day. If you have 4 days of that then even the most professional and enthusiastic driver will tire of announcing the 350th station that week!

 

[edwin_m]

Especially on a journey with many stops, this would be ideal for an automatic system assuming it was properly designed so it didn't get confused. The ones on the Manchester trams seem to work quite well for instance. The announcement is made while the doors are actually open so that people boarding the tram can get back off if it is the wrong one.

 

[jon0844]

They should definitely have an automated system. I'm surprised they don't (as with the 319s and 321s) but it all comes down to money and franchise requirements.

Likewise some stock not having CCTV yet.

 

[sarahj]

Our 313's have a PIS system, problem is, its always getting stuck, or lost. Sometimes it works in one direction, but not the other. I had one the other day that was still approaching falmer as we were coming to the end of the line at Seaford

 

[Hellfire]

As a regular Virgin passenger I've always wondered about the huge variation in the length of announcements. If there is a script TMs are supposed to follow it's often ignored.

At one end of the spectrum you get a short, pithy announcement like "This is the 0656 from Preston" and then the calling points. At the other end of the scale there is the interminable ramble that includes calling points, times of arrival, the fact Virgin has a no smoking policy (I am surprised) then on to the provision of CCTV and the need to read the safety notices in the vestibule.

Then we are told where First and Standard coaches are, where the shop is and, on one glorious occasion, the shop menu. Later in the journey comes a sales pitch for Tube tickets.

In between TMs seem to pick elements from the long one and mix and match as they feel.

First thing in the morning the shorter version is by far the most acceptable.

 

[High Dyke]

Also heard an on-board announcement telling people to keep their feet os seats. That was a first for me.

I read somewhere recently that Merseyrail (i think) were having a purge on people putting feet on seats.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....the fact Virgin has a no smoking policy (I am surprised)....

So are the people who think the toilets and vestibules are acceptable places to have "a sneaky fag" because "no-one will notice" and "it doesn't harm anyone else".:roll:

 

[Hellfire]

So are the people who think the toilets and vestibules are acceptable places to have "a sneaky fag" because "no-one will notice" and "it doesn't harm anyone else".:roll:

Fair point....well made

 

[jon0844]

So are the people who think the toilets and vestibules are acceptable places to have "a sneaky fag" because "no-one will notice" and "it doesn't harm anyone else".:roll:

So who are the announcements for then? Everyone clearly knows the law - and reminding people of the no smoking policy won't stop those who are sneaking into the toilets.

If they genuinely didn't know and needed reminding, they'd have sparked up at their seat!!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

So who are the announcements for then? Everyone clearly knows the law - and reminding people of the no smoking policy won't stop those who are sneaking into the toilets.

If they genuinely didn't know and needed reminding, they'd have sparked up at their seat!!

It serves as a warning to them.

 

[LE Greys]

So who are the announcements for then? Everyone clearly knows the law - and reminding people of the no smoking policy won't stop those who are sneaking into the toilets.

If they genuinely didn't know and needed reminding, they'd have sparked up at their seat!!

If they reworded it to '...our toilets are fitted with smoke alarms, anyone caught smoking in there will cause a delay if the alarm goes off...' it might be more effective. I remember someone doing that on an incoming flight once, she was given a derisive cheer by passengers waiting for the outgoing flight when led away by Police.

 

[jon0844]

It serves as a warning to them.

In reality, if they are caught what will happen? I presume there's no alarm and the offender could insist it wasn't them but someone before them etc.

Nobody does anything about people that smoke on the platforms. Some will go to the far end and try and hide, others do it in full view of others and either assume it's not illegal in open spaces, or have a 'what are you going to do about it?' attitude (and nobody does do anything about it, besides staring or tutting).

 

[hairyhandedfool]

AIUI all modern trains have fire alarms in the toilets.

If they are caught they could be asked to leave railway premises and could be met by the BTP at the next station.

 

[jon0844]

AIUI all modern trains have fire alarms in the toilets.

There are quite a few different types of alarm though aren't there? If they're actually heat detectors, they probably won't go off.

And ordinary smoke alarms in the home don't seem to go off when someone smokes, presumably down to the far lower amounts than something (safely) burning in the kitchen.

I say this because I've never been on a train where an alarm has gone off, nor have I ever seen any signs that I'd expect to be put up to warn people that there are smoke detectors in place to deter people.

No harm in putting up such a sign and bluffing though!!

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I couldn't comment on how they work tbf, but I have heard it announced that they are there. I would imagine the limited space in the toilet (compared to your average house) may make a difference also.

 

[W230]

My suggestion was really for a hypothetical ideal PIS, one that doesn't descend into spouting masses of 'aural graffiti'.

For a hypothetical PIS I would agree with that. Where the service is going, the next station and maybe an additional slightly earlier announcement when approaching airports etc. I think aside from those that would do it for me.

If they reworded it to '...our toilets are fitted with smoke alarms, anyone caught smoking in there will cause a delay if the alarm goes off...' it might be more effective.

It does cause a delay on the newer trains with smoke alarms. On 377's if the smoke alarm goes off in the toilet you have to go back and reset it.

 

[6Gman]

I read somewhere recently that Merseyrail (i think) were having a purge on people putting feet on seats.

Merseyrail have been pursuing this for some time.

Usually by prosecuting the easy targets and ignoring the tough ones!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

At Kings Cross today, the announcement instructed us that "For reasons of safety and security, please keep all your personal belongings with you and IN YOUR SIGHT at all times" (emphasis not mine).
QUOTE]

Which is a bit of a problem if you're blind!

 

[trainophile]

Merseyrail have been pursuing this for some time.

Usually by prosecuting the easy targets and ignoring the tough ones!

You've noticed that too :roll:. All the scallies in trackies and hoodies just get an arm waved in the general direction of their feet. Can't say I've ever witnessed anyone being actively "booked" for a feet on seat offence, but I remember reading about a young lass (in flipflops iirc) being taken to court and fined for it.

 

[TransportUK]

I know this isn't strictly rail (tube instead) but I often travel Northbound on the Victoria Line to Seven Sisters, where often my train will terminate. Usually, the announcer says "All Change" at least three times, but the other day it was said 6 times during the course of the announcement which I thought was a bit excessive! Is there some sort of minimum number of times a driver must say "All Change"?

 

[Searle]

In reality, if they are caught what will happen? I presume there's no alarm and the offender could insist it wasn't them but someone before them etc.

I've had a XC Voyager be stopped for ~30 between Doncaster and York because of a fire alarm being set off in the first class coach. I seem to remember it being because someone was smoking but I can't quite remember. It does happen though

 

[TUC]

Yesterday at Kings Cross the 1545 to Hull was delayed. The bizarrest aspect was that on several occeasions a live announcer has to interrupt the automated announcements to explain this to passengers, with the automated announcements coming back in mid-sentence.

I'd rather have live announcements anytime so all credit to whoever decided to override it and give the live announcement but it does beg the question why the automated system couldn't give a key type of announcement that really mattered.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
If the TOCs really feel the need to cover themselves against someone saying 'I wasn't told about xxx' couldn't they deal with it by putting it all on a single prominent poster in each carriage? That would be much less intrusive.

 

[Starmill]

"Service calls Mauldeth Burnage Didsbury Gatley Heald Green Airport Styal Wimslow Alderley Homes Chapel Sandbach terminates Crewe."

I mean seriously, if that's the best you can muster, leave the PA alone...

 

[A-driver]

"Service calls Mauldeth Burnage Didsbury Gatley Heald Green Airport Styal Wimslow Alderley Homes Chapel Sandbach terminates Crewe."

I mean seriously, if that's the best you can muster, leave the PA alone...

What's wrong with that? Tells everyone what they need to know dosnt it?

 

[317666]

"Service calls Mauldeth Burnage Didsbury Gatley Heald Green Airport Styal Wimslow Alderley Homes Chapel Sandbach terminates Crewe."

I mean seriously, if that's the best you can muster, leave the PA alone...

To be honest, I'd prefer that to five minutes of harping on about safety notices and personal belongings!

 

[Lockwood]

"Waterloo Train. Calls at Portsmouth and Southsea, Fratton, Hilsea, Bedhampton, Havant, Rowlands Castle, Petersfield, Liss, Liphook, Haslemere, Witley, Mildford, Godalming, Worplesdon, Woking and London Waterloo. Next Station Portsmouth and Southsea. Look after bags. Safety details on posters. Don't smoke."

 

[swt_passenger]

"Waterloo Train. Calls at Portsmouth and Southsea, Fratton, Hilsea, Bedhampton, Havant, Rowlands Castle, Petersfield, Liss, Liphook, Haslemere, Witley, Mildford, Godalming, Worplesdon, Woking and London Waterloo. Next Station Portsmouth and Southsea. Look after bags. Safety details on posters. Don't smoke."

Waterloo Train. All stations to Woking then fast to Waterloo, etc as before...

(I expect missing Farncombe and Guildford off your list was a typo?)

 

[Lockwood]

Yeah, doing 101 other things while compiling that announcement list.

 

[island]

FGW guards seem to have cut back on the level of announcements in the last month or so. Unfortunately the customer hosts tend to take up the slack.