Interesting article, once again involving the mystery that is Chris Grayling. He's now wanting to remove automated PA announcements as paasengsda find them irritating and repetitive.
While I do agree about the latter, man-made PA's are often inaudible, and I doubt they'd be PRM-TSI compliant.
Regardless, the article is here, and quoted below:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rail-passengers-to-be-rid-of-platform-announcements-zbjgmm2gf
While I do agree about the latter, man-made PA's are often inaudible, and I doubt they'd be PRM-TSI compliant.
Regardless, the article is here, and quoted below:
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/rail-passengers-to-be-rid-of-platform-announcements-zbjgmm2gf
Ding-dong: we’re sorry to announce that the infuriating platform announcement has been cancelled.
The transport secretary is about to pull the plug on automated announcements at rail stations because of concerns that they drive passengers up the wall. Chris Grayling has told train companies to employ more people to make announcements to ensure travellers are given accurate information. He said that widespread use of computer-driven PAs was leaving passengers frustrated and giving them little helpful information when something went wrong.
The minister’s action follows problems this summer when the introduction of new timetables backfired, with up to 800 trains a day cancelled in north and southeast England. An inquiry was told that many passengers were left in the dark with poor information issued via speakers and information screens.
Mr Grayling said that employing human announcers was needed to give passengers more up-to-date information such as the reason for a delay, when it would be resolved, alternative routes and how to claim compensation.
Speaking to The Times he said: “The automated announcements do nothing to show sympathy for inconvenienced passengers and often fail to provide vital information. That’s why I’d like to see, wherever possible, the return of a human voice at the other end of a microphone.
“Train operators are doing good work to harness tech solutions to provide passenger information, but they should make sure old fashioned customer service remains part of it.”
Robert Nisbet, of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators and Network Rail, said: “Automated announcements take information from a number of sources to give the most precise information possible. In many stations operators can switch off or add to the automated system".