"John Holt" wrote ...
Constant, loud, intrusive and unnecessary recorded announcements blasted
out every 15-20 seconds and no escape from it, even with earphones in to
attempt to drown out the background hell...

Do what the regulars do - ignore it.

After the first few trips, you won't even notice, and they are useful for
tourists and others.

I don't know which route you take, but on the many routes I travel, they are
not as frequent as you state.

Or get an iPod?
--

Andrew