Why do some TMs ignore the fact a train is late? I know they may not be aware of the reason but sometimes they don't even make an announcement acknowledging the service is even late. It won't make the train any quicker but I do find it frustrating.
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TM "Late Running Train" Announcements
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atraindriver
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godfreycomplex
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I’ve never seen any real evidence that that isn’t true to be fair....
“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop” - Confucius
Afraid of confrontation ? Bit like on some Chinese airlines ive flown where the pilots dont make any welcome or update announcements , maybe not their culture.
martinsh
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Not to mention when they do acknowledge the train is late, getting the length of time it is late wrong by a sizeable margin ! [ 10 mins instead of the actual 18 in a recent example ]
causton
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I got it the other way, they said 25 minutes when it was closer to ten!
On the last train I caught that had a delay announcement, the train was diverted via Northampton instead of Weedon due to the late running and engineering works needing to start on time, the train was going southbound and the TM announced "I have just been made aware that we are going to be diverted via Northampton" just as we were passing through NMP!!! (did DIRFT and Long Buckby and the lower line speed not give that away???)
Highlandspring
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Last time I was on a train the conductor apologised for us arriving at the destination two minutes late, which I thought was a bit of a waste of breath.
Metal_gee_man
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I've recently traveled on a couple of Southern (GTR) services that were more than 15 minutes late into London Victoria, each time as we left Clapham Junction the guard/train manager came on the tannoy, they apologised for the delay, gave a brief explanation of why (signalling/trespasser/one under) and reminder passengers to claim for delay repay, followed by the passenger info screen showing a message with the website address!
I'm guessing when GTR were given the contract, it had a number of requirements to make passengers aware of their rights, rather than just assume they knew what they were entitled to!
I'm guessing when GTR were given the contract, it had a number of requirements to make passengers aware of their rights, rather than just assume they knew what they were entitled to!
Temple Meads
Established Member
On a similar note the last time I caught the GWR sleeper to London from Exeter, it was running significantly late (about an hour) - the guard who would work the train from Exeter checked our tickets in the waiting room prior to the train's arrival, but without any apology for the day or even a mention of it. Maybe I'm being picky, but I found it irritating at the time.
Why does this frustrate you?
You already know it's late. What will the guard announcing it's late change?
All direct awards and new agreement include a requirement for crew (where provided) to make delay repay announcements if their own train is going to make the threshold or if they are likely to miss a popular less frequent connection despite being below the threshold, if that makes sense.
Is that reply worth a
?
Metal_gee_man
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I was mildly surprised, that was all, maybe actually slightly impressed, hey if this represents the future then I'm more than happy for it to continue
3141
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Your post provides a total contrast to the Keith Williams review focus on putting the passenger first. You seem to think it doesn't matter at all that the train is late and the operator is failing to deliver the service as advertised, that it's unnecessary to acknowledge that some passengers may be inconvenienced because they won't make planned connections, and that the passengers are fundamentally unimportant. No, making an announcement won't change the fact that the train is late, the delay may not be the fault of the train crew, and there may be very little they can do about the situation, but it would help to show that the staff on that train recognise that something is going wrong and that it shouldn't have.
Are you in favour of renationalisation, by any chance?
trainophile
Established Member
On VTWC Carlisle to Glasgow (again!) and we’re following a late running TPE.
Due in at 1038, about 1000 our TM apologised in advance that we were likely to arrive at 1050, and explained the reason.
Excellent service which allows people to amend their plans or advise offices etc. VTWC keeps going up and up in my estimation. The smoked salmon and scrambled egg was delicious too. Eat your heart out LNER!
Due in at 1038, about 1000 our TM apologised in advance that we were likely to arrive at 1050, and explained the reason.
Excellent service which allows people to amend their plans or advise offices etc. VTWC keeps going up and up in my estimation. The smoked salmon and scrambled egg was delicious too. Eat your heart out LNER!
godfreycomplex
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Dude, there’s people dying....
3141
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Tannoy is the brand name, I think you mean public address system.
Metal_gee_man
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No I meant tannoy just to annoy the anally retentive people who pick up on very small details, that other wouldn't give two hoots about
tsr
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I am sure the forum is entertained by your efforts to wind everyone up.
However, do be aware that the RSSB Rule Book differs from your terminology, so I am afraid people are probably unlikely to stop correcting you on that one, whether in annoyance or otherwise!
I don't have enough information to decide whether nationalisation would be better or not.
Where did I say it doesn't matter that the train was running late?
That's right, no where. You've fallen in the trap of assumption because I don't share the same opinion as you.
What I am more interested in, is the reasons why an empty apology that isn't meant (by the guard) (perhaps even saying sorry for something that isn't their fault), means so much to some people.
What would it honestly change?
Would it change the persons mood?
Would it change the opinion of the company?
Would they forgive the TOC for running a train late?
Because if you get an apology every day (like some people on Northern or Southern may hear!), after 100 days, do you think it'll have the same effect?
I don't understand, hence my question.
It's not great the train runs late, but I accept things happen.
My wifi went all strange last night.
The Chinese was a little late delivering.
The doctors were running late for my appointment.
Someone cut me up on the road.
I bought some nice cola for £1.75. The next day it was £1.35.
I accept these things are just part of life - I don't demmand an apology from anyone for them because someone saying sorry isn't going to change the fact it's happened / my mood / my opinion of the company...
I get the feeling that most people think the company saying sorry will somehow give them some sort of power over the company. This isn't right.
godfreycomplex
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Spot on
Trying to hoover up the pedants?
DelW
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On that basis no-one would ever apologise for anything, whether their fault or not. No matter how badly they'd mistreated you, their response would be "tough s**t, things happen, I'm going to ignore your feelings". Fortunately most people don't work that way.
Deafdoggie
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DelW
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I think that was the point he was making....!I think you mean vacuum cleaner
fairysdad
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Extraordinarily verbose Guard on the train from Waterloo last night announced on the public-address-system-that-may-or-may-not-be-manufactured-by-a-company-called-Tannoy, amongst other things, his apologies that we were leaving Waterloo one minute late...
306024
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Try travelling in Germany. Very rare in my experience for apologies for late running.
Worst announcement is to say ‘a good service is operating with no delays’, as if the default position is that the train will be delayed and it’s a bonus if it isn't. A passenger only hearing half the announcement once asked me ‘what was that about delays?’, when there weren’t any. Railway shoots itself in foot.
Worst announcement is to say ‘a good service is operating with no delays’, as if the default position is that the train will be delayed and it’s a bonus if it isn't. A passenger only hearing half the announcement once asked me ‘what was that about delays?’, when there weren’t any. Railway shoots itself in foot.
An apology isn't necessary, after all it's not normally the guard's fault personally.
An explanation of the reason for the delay where possible, an estimate of likely knock on effect in terms of timings and if needed information about compensation is more than adequate. I got caught up in the flooding chaos last Saturday on TPE and the guard was spot on with keeping us updated. He didn't apologise endlessly, but then he didn't need to as he kept us informed.
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