Do they? I've just spent most of today on the railways, as it happens, but I didn't hear that despite some disruption; indeed I've never heard it. During my journey today, the Eurostar staff apologised over the tannoy personally, and the Great Western train manager personally announced a delay with great enthusiasm on a recent trip ("we are running three minutes behind schedule; we apologise for any inconvenience or disruption").

I'm curious to know which line/operator you've heard this on.

I've got my own pet-peeve automated announcement though: "This is a National Rail security announcement..." Oh no! Is there a riot on the platform? Was someone assaulted? No, listen further: "...If you see something that doesn't look right, text the British Transport Police on 61016".

Like, that's not even a real announcement, and doesn't every passenger know the number by now??

P.S. I feel that it's right to note for those unfamiliar with the English railways that GWR are probably the most effective train operator in England, and that the delay I had wasn't their fault. Eurostar, having almost exclusive use of HS1 and the Channel Tunnel, don't have that excuse available, but they were still impeccablely professional.

It may have changed recently but it was a feature of on-station announcements (as opposed to on-train) in the south east for years.

Interesting; thank you for responding. I tend to keep my connections somewhat unreasonably short, so maybe I just don't wait around long enough to hear that announcement :)