Bay Area's Popular 511 Phone Service Now Providing Essential Resources in Cantonese and Mandarin

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) today announced the addition of Cantonese and Mandarin language options to the Bay Area's 511 phone system. This latest expansion of the toll-free 511 traveler information service allows Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking drivers, carpoolers, and transit riders to access key services to help them on their commutes and other journeys throughout the nine-county Bay Area.

Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking callers who are planning a trip, or already on the go, can simply dial 511 and then press *4 for information in Cantonese or *5 for Mandarin.  Using an easy to navigate touchtone system, callers can access important traveler information as well as free transfers to 511 Freeway Assist, Clipper^®, FasTrak^®, public transit and paratransit agency call centers, and more.

"Once again, 511 SF Bay is leading the way for other 511 programs around the country," said Brooke Fotheringham, MTC's 511 Program Coordinator. "We're excited to roll out these services to provide Cantonese and Mandarin callers with important traveler information and the ability to easily transfer to live operators who can provide additional assistance."

For more information and helpful tips, Cantonese and Mandarin 511 callers can visit http://511.org/511phone/service-chinese/assistance.

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About 511
Launched in 2002, the Bay Area's award-winning 511 service is a one-stop phone and web source for up-to-the-minute traffic, transit, carpool and parking information. The service is free of charge and available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the nine-county Bay Area. Call 511 or visit 511.org.

511 was developed with the mission to provide comprehensive, accurate, reliable and useful information to meet the needs of Bay Area travelers. The Bay Area 511 service is managed by a partnership of public agencies led by MTC, the California Highway Patrol and Caltrans. It is part of a national network of 511 services promoted by the United States Department of Transportation's Intelligent Transportation Systems initiative.

SOURCE Metropolitan Transportation Commission