about train announcements (I know I am a bit but still)

[AlleyG]

I get the train to work four days a week.

My train stops at four other places before it gets to my stop.

At every stop, we're subjected to a full two minutes of announcements letting us know which train we're on, where the train is heading to and what time it will get there, where it will stop next and at what time, how many toilets there are, where they are located, where each coach is located, who may enter first class coaches, that there's a trolley, everything that's on the trolley and how much it costs, that the trolley takes cash and card, that a ticket check will take place, how to present electronic tickets, where to put bags, what the conductors name is, and where to find them.

I completely understand that the staff on-board are forced to say all this stuff but it's bloody incessant and so irritating. I understand why saying a bit of information is useful (which train you're on, for example). But a full outline of the delights of the trolley is not necessary. Seriously, this morning, it took a full two minutes at each stop to go through this script. That's a full ten minutes of my fifty minute journey taken up having to sit through the conductor's drivel.

I've tweeted, phoned and written to the train company but to no avail.

I know I'm being a bit U about this but seriously, it is bloody annoying isn't it?

Try being in Wales with announcements made in both languages

Its annoying isnt it? on our line its a recorded message and its running along a ticker tape thing as well telling you which station your at etc etc.

Yes, but, um, a lot of people can’t see or can’t see well. Which is part of the point of the announcements. YABVU and no way will they change it no matter how much you tweet.

Perhaps the people who board after you benefit from the information?

Why don’t you put in earphones if it bothers you that much?

Ear phones for any journey! Why wouldn’t you anyway

And why are you complaining to the train company? The announcements are to help blind and partially sighted folk and not everyone is literate. Your complaint is quite selfish really

Wear headphones.

Someone who’s not travelled on that line before will need the information. And people getting on after you. I’m amazed you’ve bothered tweeting and complaining so much, you can’t expect them to change everything that could help others because you don’t like it. It just wouldn’t bother me or I’d have zoned it out by now. You obviously sit poised ready to get angry at every stop or you’d barely notice it surely! Let it go is my advice!

I don't mind the recorded messages. They tend to be straight to the point. It's all the additional faff that pisses me off like when the conductor goes through everything on the trolley and how much it costs. There's no need, say there's a trolley coming around then people can ask the trolley person how much things are.

I have earbuds in but not playing music because I work on the train. My earbuds don't block it out.

Point taken about blind people.

This makes me think of that toilet announcement you hear every time on certain trains... “please don’t flush...your ex’s sweater”. Gets so old fast!

I understand the need for announcements totally, but was at Crewe the other day trying to make a phone call, and there was an announcement about every 10 seconds, and they put speakers all down the platform so really no where quiet. Potentially might be better in the cafe or waiting room but I didn’t check.

No, YANBU. There’s the core information which the partially-sighted need (destination, next stop); and then there’s all the rest. Everyone knows you can’t go into first class without a first class ticket. The contents of the trolley really don’t bear repeating.

Some train companies are worse than others in this respect; it’s perfectly reasonable to write to them and ask them to tone it down.

I’m half-minded to stand outside their offices with a megaphone repeating the same crap all day to them (as well as standing in front of their office doors and shouting “DOORS OPENING” accompanied with a loud beeping noise every time someone goes in or out.)

Well, there might be someone blind onboard. They’d need to hear the announcements. Just like the poor chap today in the news where no one gave up their seat for him on the train, even though he had his dog with him.

Agree. Yes Kitkatsky we get double the fun here in Wales It's exhausting!!

The best train announcement I ever heard was on the London Underground on an extremely busy and crowded bank holiday, and the announcer, clearly totally infuriated by people trying to cram onto the train and blocking the doors, yelled through a megaphone:

"STEP AWAY FROM THE TWO HUNDRED TON TRAIN!!!!"

@pianothirty

Can I come along with you and your mega-phone, please?

That's exactly what I mean. I totally get that blind people (or just people like my mother for whom catching a train is akin to rocket science) will need announcements but surely they only need the core information.

@whichwayisitnow

As a regular commuter I get irritated with announcers who try and be hilarious. There's one guy in particular whose routine just makes me cringe- "Good morning folks and welcome to this delightful 07:14 train to Newcastle which will stop at the beautiful historic city of York at 07:31 and then take you onwards through our beautiful countryside to the town of Northallerton...."

Repeat at every stop.

He gets a smile from some people who aren't regular train users but the rest of us just groan (inwardly and outwardly).

I've tweeted, phoned and written to the train company but to no avail.

You mean they haven't changed things for You? Do You think they ought to never make these announcements, or that You should be able to indicate Your presence on the train so they know whether to make announcements or not?

I can't believe they have so cheekily dismissed Your thoughts. I'm offended on Your behalf.

If the train companies didn't do these announcements, there would be uproar. Just because you are a frequent traveller, doesn't mean that everyone on your train is. YABU.

I was once sitting on a train at Waterloo and the announcment came on, "Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, this train is not going where you think it is going".

You've got a conductor?

tortellini where was it going instead then?!

My train to work goes through 7 stations in a row with short platforms, that recorded announcement gets very irritating after the third or fourth repetition! YABU though - some people need that info.

It was going down a different line and the platform indicator was wrong.

My sister is blind (has 4% vision) and she hates the constant announcements!