First Great Western to cut out annoying announcements
A train company is to slash the amount of "irrelevant and repetitive" tannoy announcements after a backlash from customers.
First Great Western (FGW) made the move after Transport Minister Norman Baker criticised the 'pointless' messages which constantly interrupt journeys.
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An internal survey revealed that 40 per cent of content in current tannoy messages are considered useless by passengers.
So from the beginning of May 'no smoking' announcements will go along with those informing people where first class is.
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Others such as 'mind the gap' will be restricted to situations where they are relevant.
Messages such as "change here for connecting services to ..." will be replaced with relevant information on departure times and platform numbers.
First Great Western general manager David Crome said the intention is to get rid of the "tosh".
"Some things we do not need to say anymore such as announcements informing people they can’t smoke on a service, or informing customers where standard and first class seating is," he said.
"We have been through the announcement guide to get rid of all the tosh - the redundant, the irrelevant and the repetitive."
But David Sidebottom, director at Passenger Focus, said certain announcements are "vital".
He said: "On board announcements are important to many passengers to ensure, for instance, that they are aboard the correct train, have a valid ticket, or know when to prepare to alight.
"This repetitive information may be annoying to some passengers, but it is nevertheless vital for others."
9 Comments
by stratobuddy
Thursday, March 21 2013, 7:52PM
“But they NEVER tell you the most important info - - - - - which side the platorm will be so you can get ready to unload your luggage on the correct side”
by DWM123
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 5:01PM
“What bugs me most is, upon leaving every station en route, a cheery voice insists on telling me ever single piece of inedible **** available from the buffet.”
by theparcel
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:48PM
“"The train standing on platform 3, is feeling a little tired and is going to have a rest!”
by davidevans604
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 2:02PM
“Moan,moan,moan! A common complaint is lack of information and hear we have whiners complaining about receiving information!
Good for FGW if they are able to slim down unnecessary announcements.”
by CharlieDodd
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 1:44PM
“Good move, let's hope they also ban passengers using mobile phones on trains (and coaches) so we don't have to sit through their endless inane chatter”
by DoNotBook
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 12:39PM
“The next stop is privatisation.
All change here for better timetables, more comfortable carriages and cheaper prices.
Your journey today has been delayed due to public sector workers leaving their placards on the line.
Mind the Gap.”
by plympaul
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:57AM
“ive been on trains sometimes going from plymouth to cornwall and the amount of messages on board is like banging your head against a brick wall!!! i sometimes like get woken up by them and its really annoying big time!!!!!”
by Plymouthians
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:17AM
“I see in the upcoming timetabe they have also managed to cut out some of those annoying train journeys between London and the Southwest too!
On the plus side they are going to take a lot longer so people can enjoy the view at Taunton.”
by Lashius
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 11:07AM
“completely agree with this nothing more irritating then when your trying to settle down to have a nap or something to pass the journey quickly and your constantly woken up to hear about where the damm buffet car etc is....theres no need for the annoucements just put the information on a seatback card for everybody.”