So many announcements, so few people taking them on board

[dingdinger]

What's happening at platforms 5/6 at Clapham Junction? That platform has always attracted a rather heavy staff presence even when I was going that way to school in the 2000s, but lately there seems to be some kind of agency present - about 3 members of staff in high-vis jackets patrolling the platform. One with a loudspeaker constantly telling people to stand behind the yellow line. Constantly. Then pleading with people not to approach the arriving train before it makes a full stop at the platform. Erm...

I was at Clapham recently-I know exactly what you mean. From what I was told there is a Swr staff shortage at Clapham so they are using agency staff on platform 5/6 for the time being.

 

[talldave]

The fact "see it , say it , sorted" is such a hated phrase has proved that its done what DfT intend it to do, get stuck in people's heads. Catchphrases are a well proven marketing technique

I don't disagree. But those of us with a brain find them intensely irritating. And the end result is that we zone out from all announcements.

Also, most people quoting that catchphrase on here get it wrong and I bet most people have no idea what the number is. But yes, great success.

 

[Sealink]

SWR are relentless with their announcements, with the See It Say It Sorted one especially annoying.

What they also do is have the guard/conductor announce station stops immediately after the automated one. It's just white noise, although a bit more intrusive

I don't disagree. But those of us with a brain find them intensely irritating. And the end result is that we zone out from all announcements.

Also, most people quoting that catchphrase on here get it wrong and I bet most people have no idea what the number is. But yes, great success.

I thought the See It announcement would come into play when I stupidly left a suitcase on a Thameslink train.

Phoned them literally minutes later and asked what station I should go to when the train is searched at the end of the journey. Poor naïve me. They told me there is no time to search the train and I would just have to take my chances when the train returned from Sevenoaks. The service on the line was later suspended.

Needless to say I never saw my suitcase again.

So I think the See It announcements are more for some vague sense of security than anything meaningful.

 

[al78]

I don't disagree. But those of us with a brain find them intensely irritating. And the end result is that we zone out from all announcements.

I have a brain and I don't find it irritating, it has no emotional effect on me at all. Given the serious condition of two people I know and care about combined with all the nastiness that is happening across the world, a repetitive announcement on a train I use twice a week doesn't register on the list of things to be irritated/annoyed/upset about as far as I'm concerned.

 

[styles]

It's because there's so many announcements imo.

I was at Derby station a few years ago and I was sat on a bench with my partner laughing at me. If just been saying how I think there too many announcements. After each one stopped, 5 seconds would pass, and there'd be another and I'd roll my eyes.

If you see something that doesn't look right, text the British Transport Police on 61016. See it, say it, sorted.

Please don't struggle on the stairs today as lifts are available at this station.

During wet weather, surfaces may be slippery, please take care.

Smoking, including e-cigarettes, is not permitted on any part of this station.

Please note that bicycles, scooters, roller skates must not be used on station platforms.

The next train to depart from Platform 1 will be the 0823 service to Nottingham; calling at Long Eaton, Attenborough, Beeston, and Nottingham. Due to a short platform, passengers for Attenborough must use the front 3 coaches. A buffet service of hot and cold snacks is available on the train. First class accommodation is towards the rear of the train. The quiet coach is in coach B.

Please stand behind the yellow line at all times.

For your safety and security, CCTV is in operation at this station.

Engineering works may disrupt your journey. You can check amended timetables at eastmidlandstrains.co.uk.

The train approaching platform 3 does not stop here. Please stand well away from the edge of platform 3.

Please do not leave luggage unattended at this station. Luggage left unattended may be removed or destroyed by the security services.

The important messages get drowned out by nonsense like telling people not to ride bikes and that when it rains, things become slippery.

--

It doesn't even end when you get on the train. I used to take the train from Nottingham to Beeston which is maybe a 6 minute journey. Sometimes you'd get to Beeston before they'd finished the announcements.

This is the 0823 service to Derby, calling at Beeston, Attenborough, Long Eaton, and Derby. My name's Dave and I'll be your train manager today. Please use all available space. First class accommodation is at the front of the train in coaches A and B. Standard class is at the rear of the train in coaches C, D, E, F, and G. Coach C is the unreserved coach; if you don't have a seat reservation please move to coach C. The buffet cart is in coach B, serving a range of hot and cold snacks, sandwiches, alcohol, and soft drinks. Currently we are only taking card payments, and cash is not accepted on this service. A reminder for passengers that safety information cards are located in each carriage; please take time to read the safety information on board. If you see anything suspicious on board this service today please speak to a member of staff or text the British Transport Police on 61016. See it, say it, sorted. Please have all tickets and Railcards available for inspection as a full ticket check will be conducted shortly. If your ticket says CrossCountry only then this ticket is not valid on this service, and a new ticket will need to be purchased. For your safety and security, CCTV is in operation on this service. We will shortly be arriving at Beeston. Please make sure you take all personal belongings with you, and mind the gap between the train and the platform edge.

I don't disagree. But those of us with a brain find them intensely irritating. And the end result is that we zone out from all announcements.

Also, most people quoting that catchphrase on here get it wrong and I bet most people have no idea what the number is. But yes, great success.

The 61016 announcement is actually one of the very few announcements I agree with having. If you're going to have a number to report safety incidents to, you need to publicise it.

Reminding people not to smoke on platforms, lifts are available at this station, surfaces can be slippery when it rains etc can get in the bin though.

 

[dingdinger]

I don't disagree. But those of us with a brain find them intensely irritating. And the end result is that we zone out from all announcements.

Also, most people quoting that catchphrase on here get it wrong and I bet most people have no idea what the number is. But yes, great success.

Surely it would be easy for "those with a brain" to simply just block them out.

 

[island]

The 61016 announcement is actually one of the very few announcements I agree with having. If you're going to have a number to report safety incidents to, you need to publicise it.

It’s less and less useful these days as it’s classed as a premium text number, so many networks block it or require you to have prepaid for credit that you’ll never use for anything else in order to send a text.

 

[Buzby]

it’s classed as a premium text number

I must admit that in the early days it was easy - numbers that cost more than a standard text began with a 9, but then Callconnect services came along (the 118 etc) which meant costs went through the roof depending on what they could get away with. The regulator states BTP makes no charge so most certainly not a premium.

My mobile network (EE) allows me to prevent my calling chargeable numbers by opting out so now it’s easy - it will not go through if it isn’t inclusive within my package and AIUI all networks provide it. Further, BT’s 999/112 number will transfer a call to BTP if need be. I can never remember their number - if I need help. 2-way comms is easier!

 

[Northerngirl]

The 777s seem to now be saying next stop instead of next station stop, maybe some hope for people with an iq more than room temperature

 

[island]

The regulator states BTP makes no charge so most certainly not a premium.

It is classed as a premium text number by the phone networks, regardless of whatever this unspecified “regulator” states. My network charges me 10p to text it, even though I have unlimited standard texts included in my plan.

 

[Buzby]

It is classed as a premium text number by the phone networks, regardless of whatever this unspecified “regulator” states.

Not on my network - as for being ‘unspecified’ they’re not hiding - visit https://psauthority.org.uk/. Interestingly, it’s now called the ‘Phone-paid Services Authority’. No mention of Premium….

 

[leytongabriel]

That was what was so lovely about the 313s. A relatively peacefull journey without all those announcements.
It's information noise - pushing people futher apart into their bubbles and disturbing the rest to no great effect.
Didn't Grant Shapps announce he wanted them reduced?

 

[talldave]

It’s less and less useful these days as it’s classed as a premium text number, so many networks block it or require you to have prepaid for credit that you’ll never use for anything else in order to send a text.

Since this thread appeared, I've been checking with family/friends on the success of "See it, Say it..". Everyone knows the catchphrase, but nobody knows the number. So it's all a bit pointless, anyway.

It would have been so much more logical to use something that utilised the letters B, T & P from a phone's keypad.

 

[Northerngirl]

I think the repetition of numbers makes it harder to remember, is it 61016 or maybe 16061?

 

[Turtle]

That was what was so lovely about the 313s. A relatively peacefull journey without all those announcements.
It's information noise - pushing people futher apart into their bubbles and disturbing the rest to no great effect.
Didn't Grant Shapps announce he wanted them reduced?

What was his job that week?

 

[work-traveller]

West Midlands Railways 'Safety (@rse covering) Announcements'
The proximity of many West Midlands Railways stations is close enough, such that the location triggered automated announcements often cut each other out. i.e.:

'This is a service for Bromsgrove, the next station...'

'We are now approaching ****, please step onto the platform before moving heavy objects including pushchairs'

The element of the announcements giving location information is entirely reasonable, especially for partially sighted or blind passengers. However the 'heavy objects' part of the announcement is low value, generally ignored and broadly unwelcome noise.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

I think the repetition of numbers makes it harder to remember, is it 61016 or maybe 16061?

You also have to wonder exactly what would happen if you did text 60106 or whatever the number is. Do you get a standard response thanking you for contacting them or would they proactively chase up whatever it is you've reported and tell you what the outcome is?

I'd try it myself but I'm not sure what counts as "something that doesn't look right". Nor, I suspect, does anyone else!

 

[Buzby]

You also have to wonder exactly what would happen if you did text 60106 or whatever the number is

It’s an outsourced resource - a third party call centre receives inbound texts and forwards them to the most appropriate BTP command and control centre. I recall at the time it being hailed as ‘futuristic’ as it was possible for not only the texters number to be forwarded, but also their geolocation of the cell site used to handle the text origination - so it could be all texts are dumped on to a single handling centre OR be regionally split to the various centres based on anything from time of day, capacity or a myriad of other selections. I did ask whether there is a follow up (text or voice call) but having never called it I cannot say.

I’d love to know the % of uselessness of such a contact medium. Pressing SND and hoping for a response doesn’t do anything for me. If you can text, you can dial 999/112 and I know which I prefer!

 

[renegademaster]

If you can text, you can dial 999/112 and I know which I prefer!

Not if you are trying to avoid having a crowd of angry teenagers descend on you for calling the police

 

[Craig1122]

You also have to wonder exactly what would happen if you did text 60106 or whatever the number is. Do you get a standard response thanking you for contacting them or would they proactively chase up whatever it is you've reported and tell you what the outcome is?

Can't speak for what response the person who texts will get but reports are passed on to operators for action to be taken where appropriate. For example reports of anti social or unusual behaviour.

As others have said the big advantage is that people are able to make reports in situations where they might not be comfortable to do so over the phone.

 

[ainsworth74]

You also have to wonder exactly what would happen if you did text 60106 or whatever the number is. Do you get a standard response thanking you for contacting them or would they proactively chase up whatever it is you've reported and tell you what the outcome is?

It's a bit hit and miss but I've usually got a positive response from them. I've used them to report beggars (the ones that are doing the tissue scam or the "I'm 20p short for a train fare home" sort of thing) a few times and when you text I've gotten an acknowledgement of the text then usually get a response a little while later asking for more info (such as a description, or to clarify where they are, or if they're still there) and then at that point either hear nothing or might get a further reply along the lines of "an officer will go and have a look and move them on". I believe a friend has used it to report something quite serious (they were being made to feel uncomfortable by someone on the train and didn't feel able to make a phone call) and the BTP took it very seriously and they followed up with a phone call to get more details once it was safe to do so. But this was a long while ago now.

Personally I think it's an excellent service and one of the few announcements we get that is actually useful is publicising its existence. Just a same that it can't be made free to use for those whose networks do charge for using it.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It's a bit hit and miss but I've usually got a positive response from them. I've used them to report beggars (the ones that are doing the tissue scam or the "I'm 20p short for a train fare home" sort of thing) a few times and when you text I've gotten an acknowledgement of the text then usually get a response a little while later asking for more info (such as a description, or to clarify where they are, or if they're still there) and then at that point either hear nothing or might get a further reply along the lines of "an officer will go and have a look and move them on". I believe a friend has used it to report something quite serious (they were being made to feel uncomfortable by someone on the train and didn't feel able to make a phone call) and the BTP took it very seriously and they followed up with a phone call to get more details once it was safe to do so. But this was a long while ago now.

Personally I think it's an excellent service and one of the few announcements we get that is actually useful is publicising its existence. Just a same that it can't be made free to use for those whose networks do charge for using it.

I used it once exactly for that; to report beggar(s) on board.

Sent a text containing details of the train, time, location, even which specific carriage at what moment to help with CCTV retrieval.

Got a reply five minutes later asking me what train I was on...

 

[Lewisham2221]

Since this thread appeared, I've been checking with family/friends on the success of "See it, Say it..". Everyone knows the catchphrase, but nobody knows the number. So it's all a bit pointless, anyway.

It would have been so much more logical to use something that utilised the letters B, T & P from a phone's keypad.

I think the repetition of numbers makes it harder to remember, is it 61016 or maybe 16061?

The number only stuck in my head when I heard it announced differently, must've been a manual announcement. Rather than the usual 61, 01, 6 it was 6, 101, 6. As 101 is the standard Police non-emergency phone number, it all clicked.

 

[Krokodil]

You also have to wonder exactly what would happen if you did text 60106 or whatever the number is. Do you get a standard response thanking you for contacting them or would they proactively chase up whatever it is you've reported and tell you what the outcome is?

I'd try it myself but I'm not sure what counts as "something that doesn't look right". Nor, I suspect, does anyone else!

First you get the following automated response:

Thank you for your text, which is being dealt with by our team.

If you are reporting a crime which is not happening now, please use the following link - https://www.btp.police.uk/reportcrime/default.aspx In an emergency dial 999.

BTP

Then a human the BTP First Contact Centre will look at it and you may receive a follow up text from a different number (this one is an 07 number). This may ask for clarification, allocate a crime number, or ask you to report using the online form. You may also be phoned by the contact centre or by an officer. Some anonymised examples below:

Thanks for your text. Are they still at the station?
Regards
BTP First Contact Centre
0800 40 50 40
dd-mm-yyyy
hh:mm
P/ N 1234

Hello, thanks for your report, we have recorded associated referemce 567 of dd-mm-yyyy

Regards
BTP First Contact Centre
0800 40 50 40

dd-mm-yyyy
hh:mm
P/ N 1234

Thank you for your text, please follow the below link to submit your crime report online, which will help you provide full details of the incident.

https://www.btp.police.uk/reportcrime/default.aspx

Regards
BTP First Contact Centre
0800 40 50 40

dd-mm-yyyy
hh:mm
P/ N 1234

I reported a beggar at Birmingham New Street using this and a couple of officers appeared within minutes. Sometimes BTP will contact the local force if they can provide a faster response and it's deemed urgent enough (someone kicking off etc.)

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Personally I think it's an excellent service and one of the few announcements we get that is actually useful is publicising its existence. Just a same that it can't be made free to use for those whose networks do charge for using it.

But surely if you have a mobile phone then if you saw something "not right" it would only take a moment to type "transport police contact number" into the search engine of your choice, which makes the announcement superfluous?

And even if there is anyone who finds the "see it say it sort it" announcement helpful does it really need to be repeated every 2 or 3 minutes? Surely once every hour or so would suffice?

 

[johnnychips]

Today, as I stepped off the Northern 170, it said, “This is Doncaster. Continue to be vigilant”.

I know it’s not exactly Henley-on-Thames, but…

 

[Bikeman78]

I used it once exactly for that; to report beggar(s) on board.

Sent a text containing details of the train, time, location, even which specific carriage at what moment to help with CCTV retrieval.

Got a reply five minutes later asking me what train I was on...

Ironically I find the SSS announcement way more annoying than beggars on trains.

 

[Recessio]

The number only stuck in my head when I heard it announced differently, must've been a manual announcement. Rather than the usual 61, 01, 6 it was 6, 101, 6. As 101 is the standard Police non-emergency phone number, it all clicked.

I had exactly this too recently. I wonder if the 61,01,6 was originally bodged from existing carriage/platform number recordings or something? And now they've done new recordings that are correct with 6,101,6?

 

[Bikeman78]

Two from today. On the Circle line clockwise from South Kensington to Edgware Road it announced multiple times that Aldgate is closed, even thought it would terminate long before Aldgate. I'd have thought two stations before in either direction would be more sensible, given that walking from Liverpool Street, Aldgate East or Tower Hill are the best alternatives.

At Paddington the whole concourse was heaving owing to the disruption but there were announcements helpfully telling us not to slip on the dry surfaces.

 

[johntea]

I did think to myself this morning 'would you just shut the hell up!' on a Northern service

"Welcome aboard this Northern service to...calling at..."
"Please take some time to read the safety notices..."
"Smoking and vaping not permitted..."
"You need a valid ticket to travel..."
"Please remain vigilant...61016"

No pause throughout just a constant stream of waffle

Then just to rub salt in the wound as soon as the train departs "This is the Northern service to...the next station is..." YES YOU JUST TOLD ME THAT!

The video below illustrates this :-