Video: Bonjour, Ciao, Guten Tag! TPE introduces new language name badges

Those taking the train across the North and into Scotland will be able to identify members of staff who can converse in a different language through the corresponding country’s flag, now included on the top left-hand side of the badge.

The train operator hopes the name badges will assist customers who may need extra support on the railway, especially those who don’t speak English as their first language.

More than 50 members of staff have signed up for one of the name badges so far – with the idea originally coming from a Revenue Protection Assistant.

Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, said: “At TPE, we’re always looking at new ways of improving the experience for customers and we hope that our language name badges make even more people feel welcomed and included when travelling with us.

“With the Euros currently taking place in Germany, we thought it would be the ideal time to highlight this initiative, and I would encourage people to look out for the special badges when they are next travelling by train.

“Along with fellow colleagues from across the business, I’m very proud to have an Italian flag pictured on my own name badge.”

Dan Clarke, Conductor at TransPennine Express, said: “The introduction of the badges has allowed me to support customers who may need assistance in French or German.

I learnt French and German at school, so it’s great that I’m able to use my language skills whenever I get the chance.”

To mark the launch of the name badge scheme, TPE’s colleagues have come together across the network in a short video to welcome customers onboard in several languages, including Bengali, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Polish, and Urdu. The video also pays tribute to the UEFA Euros 2024 and how many fans from across the world are watching.