¿Habla Español?

The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority has initiated bi-weekly Spanish classes for its front line employees to ease interactions with Spanish-speaking customers.

Eighteen Metro employees, including bus drivers, station managers, and street supervisors, are part of the pilot project meant to help fulfill federal requirements on language access for customers with limited English. The workers were picked to learn occupational-based, functional Spanish because they represent customer routes that are heavily populated with Spanish speakers.

This issue has sparked debate and raised questions about responsible spending. The Spanish lessons will cost Metro $11,900, and come from the agency's $1.9 billion budget for the 2008 fiscal year. At the same time, the transit agency has proposed increasing rider fares to help cover a $109 million budget deficit.

Still, in an international city like Washington, D.C., I think it is important for Metro workers to communicate with their customers. Latinos are the fastest-growing group in America and make up nearly 9% of the D.C. population. It is vital that city officials adapt to their customers needs and the evolving social trends. While the budget is a major concern, by catering to a Spanish-speaking audience and becoming more accessible to non-English speakers, Metro will attract more customers.

Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/24/AR2007102402523.html
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20071023/METRO/110230061/1004/metro
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/11000.html

Photo Source: http://www.thinkoutsidethecar.org/metro.asp