Even more announcements on SWR

[htwestern]

A GWR service from Penzance to Cardiff with a list of all the stations on route at every stop in Cornwall was the final straw. Luckily I was only going six stops!!

It's so long that the auto announcer system on the 800s can't do the entire route in one go -- as it leaves Cardiff I've never heard it reach Penzance.

 

[Hellfire]

I often use SWR from Crewkerne and I too find this constant stream of announcements irritating. What is probably worse is that the PA system is totally inadequate on some of these trains and it's impossible to distinguish what is being said anyway so you just get a noise. And don't get me going on the 'See it, Say it, Sorted' which is trotted out regularly.

 

[Bikeman78]

I have been on SWR today and I have not noticed any change to the announcements. Perhaps the changes which triggered this discussion are only on certain routes or rolling stock?

 

[barbette165]

WMR trains (on the Snow Hill lines and probably others) have the following announcement when approaching a station, “We are now approaching ’station name’, please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge and step onto the platform before removing heavy luggage and push chairs.” In contrast Chiltern trains approaching the same stations will say ”The next station is ’station name’”, and will selectively add “Please mind the gap between the train and the platform edge” (or something similar) when the gap is likely to be a problem.

I wonder if there is any evidence at all that passengers alighting from WMR trains suffer fewer accidents than those getting off a Chiltern train? If there isn’t any, then what is the point of the longer announcement?

 

[geoffk]

Zurich Airport has recently decided to discontinue announcements in French, opting to use only German and English instead. This change is part of their "silent airport concept," aimed at reducing announcements to enhance passenger comfort! Perhaps a lesson here.

 

[Kite159]

I often use SWR from Crewkerne and I too find this constant stream of announcements irritating. What is probably worse is that the PA system is totally inadequate on some of these trains and it's impossible to distinguish what is being said anyway so you just get a noise. And don't get me going on the 'See it, Say it, Sorted' which is trotted out regularly.

The PA system on the sprinters is so variable, even on the same unit. The handset in one cab could be near perfect in terms of volume/clarity with the handset in the other cab being rubbish and even if you get Brian Blessed to do the announcements it would be quiet in the passenger area.