One thing that would help would be to recruit an "ATOS Andrew"
There is one except he is called Roger ! At Swindon "Annie" does Platform 4 while "Roger" does Platforms 1-3.
One thing that would help would be to recruit an "ATOS Andrew"
Whilst I would be the first to complain about pointless announcements, please consider that not all travellers are fully capable in respects of sight and hearing in particular. Whatever system we have, it has to cater for those who have problems with sight and hearing - and possibly both. Take a look at the Equalities Act.
There is one except he is called Roger ! At Swindon "Annie" does Platform 4 while "Roger" does Platforms 1-3.
To be fair to TL, they do have two voices, a male one and a female one, on alternate platforms at each of their stations from the core up to Bedford. As for the route numbering, that would be ok for the "proper" TL routes, which have mostly had consistent stopping patterns even in peak hours but now with all the GN routes added in and TL contra-peaks doing random skip-stopping and all sorts, no way, it would be too confusing. Even if the stopping patterns were somewhat regularised I think there would be a high number of 'TLXX' routes and would turn into an RER type situation where only traingeeks and commuters understood what the route meant.One thing that would help would be to recruit an "ATOS Andrew" - if you have two voices, one male and one female, you can play different announcements on different platforms and people can tell them apart, so you can do that kind of thing only on the relevant platform. Phil and Celia did this quite well.
Of course the real solution to this in Thameslink's case is to regularise the stopping patterns and stick to them (i.e. no skip-stopping in disruption; just run things late or at a push turn them short) - then all you're needing to announce that the next train is a TL2 terminating at Bedford and everyone knows what that means. Or if you're going to change stopping patterns, change them within the pattern - i.e. announce that the TL3 has just become a TL1.
The trains on that line don't announce the entire calling pattern, nor "See it, say it, sorted". At every major station, there is either a security/Oyster but I don't think it's too much given the line's profile. I grew up on this line and although it has massively improved, many serious crimes occur along the route to the point that every station now has a security guard on the platform, at least the announcements remind customers to keep their yes out. Also given that Watford Junction does not enforce penalty fares (due to Abbey Line) and Wembley Central's matchday entrance/other WCML stations customers often travel to/from do not have ticket barriers, whereas all Overground trains require £ before boarding, I can't see the harm done. Plus, the Blind Institute is at Euston, so I wouldn't want to tone down the announcements on this line. I agree that the onboard screens do scroll across constant, often annoying bits of info the majority of customers already know though.Can I chime in on the on-board CIS? Last time I was on a London Overground service from Euston towards Watford, the PIS was waffling almost constantly. The entire calling pattern, "See it, say it, sorted", "You must have a valid ticket or validated Oyster card to travel on this service. If you do not, you may be charged a penalty fare", and so on.
Can we please tone it down a bit? I feel like announcing the remaining calling pattern at every stop is over-the-top, can't a more concise version be used ("this is the all station service to X, the next stop is Y")? Is the waffle about requiring a ticket really needed, don't the NRCoT already cover that?
If you're on about the one at Edinburgh and Glasgow Central, she's absolutely miserable and I'd rather listen to Anne.FWIW I really quite like the way there's a Scottish version of Annie. It's actually, unlike Annie herself, quite a nice voice in my view.
Its ok if you in and out of a station within a few mins, but say your train is delayed..u are bombarded with multiple announcements when u are already irritatedUgh, yes please. The barrage of repetitive, automated announcements - I'm thinking of the larger stations here - is maddening.
"Cycling, skateboarding or rollerblading is not permitted in any part of the station.."
"If you see anything suspicious, please contact the British Transport Police on (whatever)..."
"Smoking is not permitted in any part of the station..."
"For your safety and comfort, 24 hour CCTV monitoring is in use..."
"Please do not leave luggage unattended around the station. Luggage left unattended may be disposed of in a fiery inferno..."
Repeated every five minutes (or less, it feels like).
Can ask, or usually have assistance if they cannot read the screen.Blind passengers?
Isn't Anne named after the person who voiced her?One thing that would help would be to recruit an "ATOS Andrew"
Isn't Anne named after the person who voiced her?
You won't find many "Arrivals" boards at stations. The amount of people who think it's a departure board, despite it saying ARRIVALS, then try and blame it on someone else is alarming.
The primary word being "many" :PBoth Newport and Cardiff Central have them for certain, and I think that I've seen them elsewhere as well.
There are sensors at the top and bottom of the stairs, it goes off every time someone approaches. They have the same thing at Plymouth. No idea why it's just those two stations.Whilst waiting in the waiting room at Swindon a few years ago, "Please take care on the stairs" was playing every 30 seconds. I was only waiting there 15 mins but it drove me up the wall!
Also at Bath Spa and Taunton now (possibly more)There are sensors at the top and bottom of the stairs, it goes off every time someone approaches. They have the same thing at Plymouth. No idea why it's just those two stations.