English language announcements within Zurich's public transit system
Zooming into Zurich's Switched-up Transit Scene
Hop on a bus or a tram in Zurich lately, and you might be pleasantly surprised by the switch-up in the announcements - they're now being belted out in the Queen's language!
Since the brand-new public transport schedule rolled out on the 15th of December, you'll hear more of those announcements, both spoken and on screens, in the language of Shakespeare.
Why the sudden linguistic diversity, you ask? It's all about making sure foreign tourists, as well as international residents who haven't fully grasped the nuances of our mother tongue, don't get lost - figuratively and literally.
Judith Setz, the effervescent spokesperson for Zurich's public transport company, VBZ, chimes in, "In Zurich, this shift makes total sense. Last year, we welcomed 1.4 million visitors from abroad, many of whom can't wrap their tongues around German."
"But wait, there's more," she adds, "English is the primary lingo for approximately 13% of Zurich's 450,000 inhabitants."
Announcement Central
The English earworm isn't limited to buses and trams anymore. You'll also catch the lingo at Zurich's Central Train Station. Automated announcements for long-distance trains, as well as platform changes and connection info, are now served up in English.
And here's another shocker: in the past few months, Postbus has introduced English announcements on tourist routes, like those whizzing through the picturesque Interlaken region.
But that's not the end of the story. While the primary purpose of these linguistic transmissions is to streamline the use of public transport, the loudspeakers and screens on buses, trains, and trams are increasingly used to alert non-German speakers to potential danger - say, the presence of pickpockets.
Riding the Language Wave
It's no secret that Zurich is a hotspot for international travelers. Swiss public transport systems, including those run by the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), often offer English announcements, making it a breeze for internationals to navigate the system.
However, details regarding when Zurich's local transit system started using English announcements aren't widely documented. But one thing is certain: in today's interconnected world, it's all about breaking down language barriers to make travel more accessible and enjoyable.
In Zurich, the language of Shakespeare is now frequently used in public transport announcements, aiming to cater to foreign tourists and international residents who may not be fluent in German. This linguistic shift can be observed not only on buses and trams but also at Zurich's Central Train Station and on tourist routes operated by Postbus. Additionally, these announcements are increasingly being used to inform non-German speakers about potential dangers, such as the presence of pickpockets, further demonstrating Zurich's commitment to making travel accessible and safe for all passengers.
