EMR Intercity services out of London St Pancras are by the worst I've experienced, and really grate. It was exactly the same with EMT/Stagecoach. Before the trains has even departed you get the never ending spiel on full volume about ...I am your train manager....ticket types ... super off peak/off peak/full anytime fares not valid, must upgrade to full fare, advance tickets must be valid for this train ...Covid must wear masks, sit by the window, socially distance etc... no catering due to Covid...if see anything suspicious tell police, see it, say it, sorted... calling points...short platforms at Beeston, Long Eaton etc... first class at front, standard at rear... train made up of two portions..., keep the aisles and vestibules clear of luggage...hope you enjoy your journey with EMR. On and on it goes, and all gets repeated again on departure and is still going on even as you pass West Hampstead TL. It's actually a relief when the PA system breaks down or is partially or fully inaudible and you don't have to listen to it over and over again
By which time you're nearly at Luton. Can't wait for the Catering to start again, because after all the Guards repetition of the automated announcements, the Catering team will pipe up then.
Getting just as bad on the platform too, yesterday morning it was none stop. Train announcement, covid announcemet, rain announcemet, btp announcement, and then it all starts again. Ironic how you hardly get announcements on an Airport.
I am convinced that a lot of the guards announcements are because they feel the need for importance. The 2220 TPX from Manchester to Doncaster yesterday, all the automated stuff, then the guard came on, said exactly the same, gave us an excuse why itvwas late, told us that they are going to do all they can in their power to make some time up (not sure how that works, the guard didn't show her face, and the driver is bound by speed limits and other trains, but hey ho) then followed up by some giggles because her mobile phone started ringing in the back ground, where the announcement suddenly stopped mid sentence.
Then approaching Sheffield, the automated stuff, and then the guard, full of pauses not actually knowing what she wanted to say, so why bother at all, but parted with letting us know that the train should be on time 'because I aranged for us to go a different way to Doncaster'. Diverted then, and with all due respect it was probably the Signal Box and Control that made that decision.
Its just so, so, unnecessary.
And I'm sorry if it sounds derogatory, but if you are going to make an announcement, at least have an idea what you want to say. Nothing needs saying what has already been said.
Surprised we didn't get told about the life belt situation under the seats, for when we went over the River Don.