TransLink is calling for new ideas to make public transit even safer and cleaner as people return to using the system. TransLink’s 2020 Open Call for Innovation will be open to proposals from local businesses, entrepreneurs, inventors and innovators of all sorts to submit their ideas for ways to improve the health and safety of customers and employees on transit. 

TransLink will fast-track the review process by evaluating proposals as they come in and accelerate the implementation of successful ideas.

It’s all part of TransLink’s Safe Operating Action Plan, which is implementing a series of measures to enhance cleanliness and sanitization, support physical distancing wherever possible, and encourage the wearing of masks and face-coverings.

“As we welcome back more customers onto transit, we want to collaborate with local businesses, likeminded partners, and innovators of all sorts to help with our recovery efforts,” says TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond. “The goal is to produce creative solutions and have them implemented on our system as soon as possible.”

The winning submissions may be offered:

• Support to help further develop their idea;
• Access to TransLink assets to test or demo their idea;
• Opportunity to pilot the idea on a larger scale in partnership with TransLink.

“TransLink’s Open Call for Innovation provides a unique opportunity to showcase our local business community’s innovative ideas, initiatives, and solutions and partner with our region’s transit authority to advance solutions,” says Bridgitte Anderson, President and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “Now more than ever, we need to work together towards our region’s economic recovery – and a clean, safe, resilient transit system will be fundamental to keeping us on the right track.” 

Since the Open Call for Innovation launched in 2018, TransLink has successfully collaborated with industry, entrepreneurs, and academia to quickly surface worthwhile new ideas and technologies.

Visit translink.ca/opencall for details and submission guidelines.