When will excessive announcements cease?

[bramling]

And therefore they are very important.
However. Greg Scott or whatever his name is, does not need to deliver the warning with the same tone and emphasis that is used in a pantomime. It's ridiculously over the top when played at Great Western Railway stations.

Agreed. Exeter St Davids is horrific at the moment. Can’t hear one’s self think on the station, constant announcements (including the ones about taking care on the stairs), often messages playing over each other.

I absolutely despise that pantomime-style voice. We had it during Covid for the various “key worker” announcements, and that was cringeworthy too.

 

[Taunton]

Individual announcements also get more and more wordy as each H&S manager is taken on and needs to make their mark. "Platform on the left" becomes "Platform on the left hand side", and then "Platform on the left hand side in the direction of travel".

 

[12LDA28C]

Agreed. I think See It Say It Sort It was first introduced in the post 9/11 hysteria era when for a short time there was the perception of a terrorist threat to public safety but now that threat has long since disappeared why is the announcement still required? In all my years of travelling I have never once needed to contact BTP and if I ever did a simple google search would tell me their contact details.

See it. Say it. Sorted. Of course, not 'sort it'. Strange that an announcement that people moan about hearing too often could actually be misheard (or just misquoted?).

 

[Energy]

On train announcements should be a full list of calling points when waiting to leave starting station, then after that they should be like a lot of London suburban services where they announce as ‘this is the service to X, the next calling point is X’.

I disagree, passengers riding London suburban services will be mostly regulars. For a service from say Cardiff to London many will be infrequent travellers who will be more confident if their station is announced when they get on the train.

The ideal announcement should convey enough information without being too long, 'See it, Say it, Sorted' is now a waste of time with it adding no additional information. Most passengers looking for additional information will look at the LCD screens anyway so display BTP and travel information on these.

There should be the normal this is a service to and next stops announcement when you get on and a next stop before you get off. Additional information like the buffet car or BTP should be short (Buffet in car K is fine, we don't need to hear about the food offering or wifi) and can be played at major stations like Birmingham or Manchester.

Information like short platforms and lack of tactile paving is of course needed while a basic announcement for red signals would be useful for infrequent passengers who will want acknowledgment that the train is stopped.

 

[12LDA28C]

Gwr has a lot of pointless automated announcements
(Wording may be incorrect)

"Were currently being held at a red signal and trying to establish the reason"

"Please hold the handrails when using the staircase"

To name 2 that spring to mind

Many TOCs require on-train staff to make an announcement within two minutes if the train has been brought to a stand at a red signal to explain why the train's progress has been impeded, regardless of whether or not the reason for the delay is actually known at that point.

 

[geoffk]

The request stop announcement on trains and stations seems to go on and on -

"Exton and Lympstone Commando are request stops, and passengers for these stations should ask the conductor on the train to arrange for the train to stop to allow them to alight."

Here's a better version, as seen on the A-Z departure sheet at Exeter Central - "Please tell the on-train staff if you wish to get off the train here".

(I'm not singling out Exeter or GWR, just that I live here now.)

 

[Howardh]

Many TOCs require on-train staff to make an announcement within two minutes if the train has been brought to a stand at a red signal to explain why the train's progress has been impeded, regardless of whether or not the reason for the delay is actually known at that point.

Those announcements are welcome as it makes pax feel they are in the loop and not being ignored.

 

[LowLevel]

Agreed. Exeter St Davids is horrific at the moment. Can’t hear one’s self think on the station, constant announcements (including the ones about taking care on the stairs), often messages playing over each other.

I absolutely despise that pantomime-style voice. We had it during Covid for the various “key worker” announcements, and that was cringeworthy too.

I agree that GWR are very irritating.

 

[ymbongo]

Individual announcements also get more and more wordy

Although it's been around a while now, the announcement that induces severe auditory fatigue (aka I want to bash my head repeatedly against a brick wall) when I hear it is:

"The train arriving at platform 6 is the 01:23 <insert operator name here> service to <destination>, calling at <long list of stations the train calls at, followed by a repeat of half of the stations already mentioned because they are request stations, followed by>: Passengers for these stations should ask the conductor on the train, to arrange for the train to stop, to allow them to alight."

At some stations this announcement can be repeated three times, maybe four, in the space of a few minutes. It's no wonder people put headphones on.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Although it's been around a while now, the announcement that induces severe auditory fatigue (aka I want to bash my head repeatedly against a brick wall) when I hear it is:

"The train arriving at platform 6 is the 01:23 <insert operator name here> service to <destination>, calling at <long list of stations the train calls at, followed by a repeat of half of the stations already mentioned because they are request stations, followed by>: Passengers for these stations should ask the conductor on the train, to arrange for the train to stop, to allow them to alight."

At some stations this announcement can be repeated three times, maybe four, in the space of a few minutes. It's no wonder people put headphones on.

I don't know if TfW still do it but last time I was in Wales you had twice the irritation as said announcement was done both in Welsh and English!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Something that used to wind me up when the Amey system was set up at Gatwick Airport was when Only woman would say:
"This is the CCTV monitoring centre here!" before safety announcements.

No darling, you're in a sound booth.

 

[JohnRegular]

Although it's been around a while now, the announcement that induces severe auditory fatigue (aka I want to bash my head repeatedly against a brick wall) when I hear it is:

"The train arriving at platform 6 is the 01:23 <insert operator name here> service to <destination>, calling at <long list of stations the train calls at, followed by a repeat of half of the stations already mentioned because they are request stations, followed by>: Passengers for these stations should ask the conductor on the train, to arrange for the train to stop, to allow them to alight."

At some stations this announcement can be repeated three times, maybe four, in the space of a few minutes. It's no wonder people put headphones on.

Whilst I can understand why this is irritating, and the announcement could perhaps be condensed or made less frequently, this is the most important information to anyone travelling by rail! It's probably one of the last announcements I would consider removing, along with service alterations (platform change, cancellations, late running etc).

 

[zwk500]

Whilst I can understand why this is irritating, and the announcement could perhaps be condensed or made less frequently, this is the most important information to anyone travelling by rail! It's probably one of the last announcements I would consider removing, along with service alterations (platform change, cancellations, late running etc).

I agree. Request stop announcements (along with Short platform announcements) I would consider as critical as the destination of the train! Personally, I feel that Request stops should either be served properly or closed, but while they're here they must be announced clearly. I'd also like as many short platforms extended as possible, but that is a costly exercise and would not be justified on the basis of removing the announcements.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Whilst I can understand why this is irritating, and the announcement could perhaps be condensed or made less frequently, this is the most important information to anyone travelling by rail! It's probably one of the last announcements I would consider removing, along with service alterations (platform change, cancellations, late running etc).

"Some stations on this route are served only by request, and customers may need to inform on-train staff of their intent to alight. Please listen for announcements on the train." would suffice, with clear announcements on board the train.

I believe that Transport for Wales' rule is that if the guard does not pass through the entire train asking if anyone wishes to stop, for example, at Deganwy, the train will call automatically anyway.

 

[zwk500]

"Some stations on this route are served only by request, and customers may need to inform on-train staff of their intent to alight. Please listen for announcements on the train." would suffice, with clear announcements on board the train.

I believe that Transport for Wales' rule is that if the guard does not pass through the entire train asking if anyone wishes to stop, for example, at Deganwy, the train will call automatically anyway.

This doesn't help people know which stations are request, and therefore the guard will be asked 'I'm getting off at X, do I need to request it?' so often they won't get through the train.

 

[43172]

I don't know if TfW still do it but last time I was in Wales you had twice the irritation as said announcement was done both in Welsh and English!

That happens at Welsh stations, with the Welsh announcement being first. Though trains in Wales have an English announcement but not Welsh (IIRC) which seems odd to have.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

This doesn't help people know which stations are request, and therefore the guard will be asked 'I'm getting off at X, do I need to request it?' so often they won't get through the train.

The vast majority of people can look at the departure boards and note the stations marked with (X).

Then, for the tiny minority that are visually impaired and cannot read the board, those who have assistance will be told by the person giving assistance, and then as I said, announcements can be made on the train as well.

 

[zwk500]

The vast majority of people can look at the departure boards and note the stations marked with (X).

What people can do and what people will do are not necessarily the same thing.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

What people can do and what people will do are not necessarily the same thing.

More fool them then, but even so, the likelihood of someone not bothering to glance at the departures board but bothering to listen to Eryl rabbit on in Welsh for a good three minutes, and then Ruth calling all the stops and coach numbers and zones, and then listening to what the request stops are, is far less than the other way round.

 

[43066]

Many TOCs require on-train staff to make an announcement within two minutes if the train has been brought to a stand at a red signal to explain why the train's progress has been impeded, regardless of whether or not the reason for the delay is actually known at that point.

Generally that’s a good idea as it will prevent people getting frustrated, suffering an attack of claustrophobia (or whatever) and pulling an egress. I think what people are criticising here is endless announcement patter during normal running.

Those announcements are welcome as it makes pax feel they are in the loop and not being ignored.

Indeed.

 

[Dr_Paul]

See it. Say it. Sorted. Of course, not 'sort it'. Strange that an announcement that people moan about hearing too often could actually be misheard (or just misquoted?).

Whether it's 'sort it' or 'sorted' is immaterial for me: it's just extraordinarily ear-gratingly annoying! High time for it to go.

 

[O L Leigh]

It would be a 15 minute job for a member of staff to walk a station and visually identify that platforms 1,3 and 7 lack tactile paving and arrange for it to be reflected in the announcement. As someone whose wife is visually impaired I can safely say that the scary thing is not knowing what platforms do or not have it. It's not a case of exploring a platform to check as you suggest. Rather it is the unknown which makes one worried about crossing any platform to board a train, so removing independence.

I sympathise with the difficulties faced by folk with various forms of impairment, but the situation is more complicated than maybe you realise.

Since these announcements have begun I have been paying more attention to where tactile paving has been used, and in a lot of cases stations will only have tactile paving for part of the platform’s length and not all of it. It would be hard to be as specific as perhaps you’d like the industry to be under such circumstances without ever longer announcements and an increased risk of confusion.

As such, a one-size-fits-all announcement has been uploaded to alert people to the possible absence of tactile paving so that they can exercise caution when moving towards the platform edge. I certainly haven’t suggested anyone needs to go “exploring a platform”, but just be aware that they may not encounter any warning that they’re approaching the edge.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Oct 2022 ==

Whether it's 'sort it' or 'sorted' is immaterial for me: it's just extraordinarily ear-gratingly annoying! High time for it to go.

“See it, say it, sod it”

 

[busestrains]

Something that used to wind me up when the Amey system was set up at Gatwick Airport was when Only woman would say:
"This is the CCTV monitoring centre here!" before safety announcements.

No darling, you're in a sound booth.

I remember that announcement well! I used to use Gatwick Airport station regularly and that would play every five minutes!

She had three different announcements like this that would play at Gatwick Airport station:

"May we have your attention please. This is the CCTV monitoring centre. Passengers are requested to please stand well away from the edge of the platform at all times whilst awaiting the arrival of your service. Please stand well away from the edge of the platform at all times. Thank you."

"May we have your attention please. This is the security monitoring centre. For your personal safety and security, this station is currently being monitored, and the CCTV footage is being recorded. We hope you will have an enjoyable journey. Thank you for choosing to travel by rail."

"May we have your attention please. This is the health and safety monitoring centre. Parents and guardians are reminded that the station can be a dangerous environment. Trains may pass through at high speed and without prior warning. When on the station and travelling on rail services please make sure that children are supervised at all times. Thank you."

The first one would play constantly and i believe was timed to play once every five minutes. It seemed extremely excessive to have this announcement constantly play so frequently. The second and third would play much less frequently as i only heard them a few times each.

What made me laugh though is the fact that the "CCTV Monitoring Centre" and "Security Monitoring Centre" and "Health & Safety Monitoring Centre" are all fictional places! No such places even exist so i have no idea why they were mentioned in announcements!

 

[Peter0124]

I think Scotrail’s on train announcements have struck a pretty good balance:

Current stop, Terminus, next stop, done.

Destination, calling points, safety information notices and done…

Unless you are on a 385 in which you are then treated to a blurb about the free Wifi, locations for luggage, short platforms and that Scotrail is the fast and environmentally friendly way to travel.

The station announcements are also okay, just says information that the public need to know.

The 385 announcements are the worst. Also 380s announcing that the train may be longer than platforms despite being a 3 car and running on the Cathcart Circle annoys me!

 

[py_megapixel]

Deutsche Bahn are very good at clear, concise announcements. Each train gets one short announcement as it's arriving, and then a minute or so later a list of "ihre nächsten Anschlüsse" which tells passengers who've just got off the next few departures, and eliminates the need for each train to be announced several times.

At most stations, unless there is disruption, that's all, though a few do pipe up with "Sicherheitshinweis: Lassen Sie Ihr Gepäck nicht unbeaufsichtigt" ("Safety notice: do not leave your luggage unattended") periodically, and stations with dedicated smoking areas have a specific announcement about that also.

In this country we seem to have a tendency to use automated announcement voices that sound like they're shouting, which certainly makes the quantity of announcements a lot more unpleasant. In Germany the voices sound a lot more "conversational".

 

[Energy]

The vast majority of people can look at the departure boards and note the stations marked with (X).

An X next to a station isn't very clear that the X means request stop.

 

[12LDA28C]

What people can do and what people will do are not necessarily the same thing.

Indeed. I've lost count of the number of times people have been standing directly under a platform information screen and still asked me 'is this the train to XYZ' when it's clearly displayed right above them.

 

[_toommm_]

I’ve spent fifteen minutes on the platform at Peterborough and heard three times that a departure in half an hour is changing platform, for both a Thameslink and an EMR service. Six announcements for a departure half an hour away is ridiculous.

 

[Edsmith]

See it. Say it. Sorted. Of course, not 'sort it'. Strange that an announcement that people moan about hearing too often could actually be misheard (or just misquoted?).

Bit of a minor detail really, whatever it says a lot of people find it extremely irritating.

The worst time for unnecessary announcements is at times of disruption, everyone stops what they're doing and pays attention expecting an update on the situation only for it to be something totally irrelevant.

 

[trainophile]

Another Welsh one that jars my nerves... "This platform [which platform?] slopes towards the track. Please ensure that brakes are applied on wheelchairs and pushchairs". Particularly grating when there's no sight of anyone with either a wheelchair or a pushchair on any of the platforms.