"Scott" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 9 Nov 2008 15:01:05 -0800 (PST), sweek
wrote:

I just really don't see the point in the "29 ... to ... Leicester
Square" announcement every stop. This seems like something they should
play on the outside of the bus. The people already on the bus know
where it's going!

I suppose it is to that anyone boarding knows they are on the right
bus. But you have a point. If the bus stop has a visual display maybe
there should be announcements also. Could be a bit annoying for
anyone living next to a bus stop though!

It actually is. I have a friend who lived in the United States and whose
window is just outside a bus stop. A few years back, he started hearing
Route 2 ... to ... XXX.

And it hasn't stopped since. Fortunately, they are not as big on public
transport in the United States as in Europe, so the announcements don't
happen as frequently.

On 11 Nov, 18:12, wrote:

And it hasn't stopped since. Fortunately, they are not as big on public
transport in the United States as in Europe, so the announcements don't
happen as frequently.

And you'd blatently end up with "Please stand clear of the doors.
Mind the doors. Doors closing" and such other useless nonsense.
There is a bleeper that quite effectively conveys that information,
just like "ding" is a perfectly clear indication that the bus is
stopping at the next stop.

If there is one thing that seriously grates on the Tube, it's the
continuous announcements on the stations when the train is stopped
there. None of them are necessary, except possibly stating once only
where the train is going for the benefit of the blind/partially
sighted. The Met line, for some reason, is the absolute worst for
this, particularly the announcer at Farringdon who just can't shut up.

Neil

"Neil Williams" wrote in message
...
On 11 Nov, 18:12, wrote:

If there is one thing that seriously grates on the Tube, it's the
continuous announcements on the stations when the train is stopped
there. None of them are necessary, except possibly stating once only
where the train is going for the benefit of the blind/partially
sighted. The Met line, for some reason, is the absolute worst for
this, particularly the announcer at Farringdon who just can't shut up.

Not surprising, considering that it Farringdon appears to actually be a
pretty important hub. I mean, besides FCC Thameslink, you have the Circle,
Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Line going through there. And I've
alsways found that the Met seems to get more attention than other lines in
terms of announcements.

On Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:02:27 -0000, wrote:

Not surprising, considering that it Farringdon appears to actually be a
pretty important hub.

It is. But it doesn't make it necessary to constantly drone on about
minding the doors and moving down inside the carriages. In the
morning peak, almost every passenger was there yesterday and will be
tomorrow, so if they haven't learnt by now that walking to the end of
the platform often gets you a seat they aren't going to. The
announcements are completely and utterly superfluous.

I mean, besides FCC Thameslink, you have the Circle,
Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan Line going through there. And I've
alsways found that the Met seems to get more attention than other lines in
terms of announcements.

I think it's an element of pride in their "big railway". It doesn't
stop it being grating and pointless, though.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

"Neil Williams" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:02:27 -0000, wrote:

Not surprising, considering that it Farringdon appears to actually be a
pretty important hub.

It is. But it doesn't make it necessary to constantly drone on about
minding the doors and moving down inside the carriages. In the
morning peak, almost every passenger was there yesterday and will be
tomorrow, so if they haven't learnt by now that walking to the end of
the platform often gets you a seat they aren't going to. The
announcements are completely and utterly superfluous.

Yeah, but people still don't go to the far ends of the platforms,
particularly on the westbound track.

I think it's an element of pride in their "big railway". It doesn't
stop it being grating and pointless, though.

Do you mean the Met? Yes, I've heard many a time that they have a
holier-than-thou attitude. But still, there are many destinations and
several variants on how to run trains, so it is not surprising that there
are so many announcements.

Also, look at how many monitors there are at Baker Street at the transfer
between the Bkerloo and Jubilee lines.

In fact, the Met sometimes reminds me of the RER, in Paris.

On Sat, 15 Nov 2008 13:51:23 -0000, wrote:

Yeah, but people still don't go to the far ends of the platforms,
particularly on the westbound track.

Which means the announcements are superfluous. If people didn't
realise yesterday, the same people (as indeed they are) won't realise
today or tomorrow, announcements or no.

In any case, I'm quite happy that the sheep will continue not to walk
to the end of trains, as it gives me more space.

Do you mean the Met? Yes, I've heard many a time that they have a
holier-than-thou attitude. But still, there are many destinations and
several variants on how to run trains, so it is not surprising that there
are so many announcements.

So announce those - but shut up about the bloody doors!

Announcements like "This train is ready to depart, stand clear of the
doors, mind the doors, mind the doors" are pointless and irritating,
as "beepbeepbeepbeepbeep" conveys that information perfectly well on
its own. If really necessary, give platform staff a whistle, a good,
traditional-railway, non-annoying way of conveying that information
further in advance.

Neil

--
Neil Williams
Put my first name before the at to reply.

On Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:45:26 GMT, Neil Williams wrote:

Announcements like "This train is ready to depart, stand clear of the
doors, mind the doors, mind the doors" are pointless and irritating,

Yes, very pointless. Particulary since the spiel is so long that
anyone with more than a couple of days' rush hour experience knows
that "This train is now ready to depart, stand clear of the doors..."
really means "There is plenty of time until the doors close, continue
boarding."