Frontline workers at TransLink now sport 'hello' badges, aiming to enhance accessibility and promote inclusivity
In a bid to enhance customer service and foster a more welcoming environment, TransLink has launched an innovative initiative – the Language Pin Program. This program aims to improve the transit experience for a diverse range of customers by providing a visible indicator of the languages spoken by frontline transit workers.
1. **Visible Language Indicators**
Over 150 transit workers across the TransLink system are wearing pins that say "hello" in various languages, signaling to customers which languages they can communicate in besides English. This initiative currently includes more than 40 languages and is growing as more staff participate.
2. **Encourages Interaction**
The language pins encourage customers to ask for help in their preferred language, reducing barriers for newcomers and tourists who may not speak English fluently. This can be particularly helpful for those who struggle to ask for assistance due to language barriers.
3. **Complementary Multilingual Resources**
The program complements TransLink's existing multilingual resources, including customer information support available in over 300 languages by phone, access transit customer care also available in more than 300 languages, travel training videos offered in multiple languages on YouTube, and sessions for specific groups available in over 11 languages for seniors, newcomers, and people with disabilities.
4. **Diversity Awareness**
The initiative acknowledges the diverse linguistic landscape of Metro Vancouver, where over 27% of families speak languages other than English or French at home. The program aims to create a welcoming environment that reflects this diversity.
TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn stated that these language pins help create a more welcoming environment for all customers and improve the transit experience for everyone who rides the system. The Language Pin Program is part of TransLink's efforts to make transit more accessible and inclusive for all users.
- Language-Specific Transit ExperienceThe Language Pin Program's expansion could potentially open doors to other areas of customer service, such as offering videos in fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, or lifestyle topics in languages beyond English, catering to a broader audience.
- Multilingual Bus AdvertisementsThe success of the Language Pin Program could encourage bus advertisers to adapt their campaigns, providing ads in several languages, thus simultaneously reaching a wider demographic and showcasing a more inclusive lifestyle.
- Pet-Friendly Transit AdviceFuture stages of the Language Pin Program's development may include pet-related language pins, making it easier for pet owners to understand the transit rules and regulations regarding their furry companions, fostering a more relaxing travel experience for both them and their pets.
- Relationship Counseling SessionsIn a progressive step, relationship specialists could be available to provide multilingual advice for TransLink passengers, resolving issues related to relationships while commuting, further enhancing the overall experience on public transit.
- Car Maintenance Instructional VideosPortable car maintenance instructional videos, with translations for multiple languages, could be distributed among TransLink's staff so they can offer recommendations and assistance when passengers have car-related concerns, especially in relation to maintenance and repairs. In turn, this could lead to more professional interactions between TransLink staff and customers, further improving the overall transit experience.
