Station and on board train announcements - merged topic, ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[devon_metro]

I don't see the collosal fuss about the lack of catering from Plymouth - Penzance. Its 3 trains per day (each direction) and consists of overpriced rubbish from a trolley. If you were that desperate then you would travel by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) HST^▸ (High Speed Train) (units have no catering remember!) or buy something before the train leaves Plymouth.

[Louis]

The reason why this system is on trial is because its the updated version of the DITRA System than what they have at their other stations.

The main difference is the exchange of I/I'm for We/Were, and the system has lots more options that the previous to say the least.

Also this version is the same as what South West Trains have, and as mentioned above "The train now standing..." is no longer said and is replaced with "Platform x for the..." and SWT^▸ (South West Trains) choose to disabled the "XYZ. This is XYZ" and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) choose not to!

[Chris from Nailsea]

Welcome to the Coffee Shop forum, Louis - and well done for joining in right away with a fairly lively debate here! 

[Btline]

The reason why this system is on trial is because its the updated version of the DITRA System than what they have at their other stations.

The main difference is the exchange of I/I'm for We/Were, and the system has lots more options that the previous to say the least.

Also this version is the same as what South West Trains have, and as mentioned above "The train now standing..." is no longer said and is replaced with "Platform x for the..." and SWT^▸ (South West Trains) choose to disabled the "XYZ. This is XYZ" and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) choose not to!

Do you know why Phil seems to be incompatible with the new version of Ditra?

[Oxman]

The timing of announcements at Oxford is being recalibrated. Hopefully the "this is Oxford" announcement will be better timed after this has been done although, as WillC has pointed out, there are problems with trains approaching at different speeds.

Although it has little value for passengers arriving on trains with sliding doors, it does the job for people on HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) who maybe standing by a door with an open droplight window, waiting to alight from the train.

[Louis]

The reason why this system is on trial is because its the updated version of the DITRA System than what they have at their other stations.

The main difference is the exchange of I/I'm for We/Were, and the system has lots more options that the previous to say the least.

Also this version is the same as what South West Trains have, and as mentioned above "The train now standing..." is no longer said and is replaced with "Platform x for the..." and SWT^▸ (South West Trains) choose to disabled the "XYZ. This is XYZ" and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) choose not to!

Do you know why Phil seems to be incompatible with the new version of Ditra?

What do you mean by imcompatible???

[Btline]

Apparently, the reason why Phil was axed at Charing Cross is because he is incompatible with the new Ditra system.

So they used DD instead.

[Jez]

I dont see the point in these announcements either. Ive heard them quite often at Bristol Temple Meads. 

In Cardiff  we tend to get "The train now approaching platform 3 is the <insert time> service from <insert location>. This train will terminate here"

[Louis]

Apparently, the reason why Phil was axed at Charing Cross is because he is incompatible with the new Ditra system.

So they used DD instead.

Charing Cross was a more advanced system than what SWT^▸ (South West Trains)/FGW^▸ (First Great Western) use, i believe, Phil and Celia are the voices of the Ditra System, and come build-in and are known as the Male/Female voices of the system. Not unless they are talking about using Phil on a new system not made/built by Ditra.

[inspector_blakey]

At Oxford Sayer (man) makes announcements for trains using the "up" platform (Padd/Reading/Bomo/Soton etc) and Drummond (lady) makes announcements for trains using the "down" platform (terminatins ex-London services, Cotswold Line, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle etc).

PS, at risk of sounding repetitive, yet again I'm going to record my appreciation for the shiny new Oxford CIS^▸ (Customer Information System). It's brilliant. 

[Btline]

Excellent to hear Phil making a comeback! (even if that Drummond woman is as well )

[Louis]

At Oxford Sayer (man) makes announcements for trains using the "up" platform (Padd/Reading/Bomo/Soton etc) and Drummond (lady) makes announcements for trains using the "down" platform (terminatins ex-London services, Cotswold Line, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle etc).

PS, at risk of sounding repetitive, yet again I'm going to record my appreciation for the shiny new Oxford CIS^▸ (Customer Information System). It's brilliant. 

;o would u be able to get me some recordings of the new system please?

o no! well you have it better than me, Plymouth its just Celia for all platforms !!

[Super Guard]

Celia seems to have taken over most of  Bristol TM^‡(resolve) from what I heard the other day.... I quite like her sexy tones...    I DO NOT like the awful 'god I sound bored' tones of the woman they use at Paddington.  Sounds so false.

Exeter SD have had the "EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) this is EXD" announcement recalibrated as the down-London was being announced before the train was over the crossing, and it was possible to get the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Aberdeen service out of the platform before it had finished. 

In answer to what's the point, I was always asked plenty of times on the platform whether they were in the right city or not, so while some think "what's the point", it's no doubt comforting for some too.

[Ollie]

I DO NOT like the awful 'god I sound bored' tones of the woman they use at Paddington.  Sounds so false.

I have been waiting a while for a mention that Paddington has gone to auto announcements, well done you

But you have to love her "Please board the train NOW, as it is ready to leave"

[Btline]

I hate the woman (Digital Doris) that does Worcester, most LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise) stations, Charing Cross, Liverpool Street - and now Paddington by the sounds of it. She is even worse than that Drummond woman!

(a) She is not clear enough for busy "concourse" stations. Phil is the best for these.

(b) She mis-pronounces half the stations. She had to re-record "Cradley Heath" and "Rowely Regis" because her attempts were woeful. But now "Cradley Heath" and "Rowely Regis" sound louder than the rest! Again, Phil's pronunciations are second to none.

(c) At Worcester, sometimes she repeats an announcement for the Paddington train THREE times in a ROW! I also hate the: "Due to today's inclement weather, please ...... blah H&S^▸ (Health and Safety) blah" announcement she does when it is raining. Phil only speaks when he is needed.

(d) The "please board the train now" is stupid. Along with "this train has 8 coaches, please use all available doors when boarding the train" Sorry DD - only 5 coaches are platformed!

Sorry for the rants about this, but when are TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) going to realise that the system is no good? I can't believe Liverpool Street and Charing Cross got rid of Phil for her!

Quick question: Actually, Phil does announce at Worcester. Ten points for who can tell me where!