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The phone system that will change your life about to start up: 311

June 13th, 2009 · 7 Comments

It’s the moment we’ve all been waiting for – Vancouver’s 311 system is supposed to be up and running as of Monday, June 15.

That’s the new system that allows you to access all of city all just by dialing 311, where trained operators will be standing by to send you on to the right department and your call will become part of a vast database intended to track 1. Whether your problem got solved 2. Who solved it and 3. How many other people have your problem.

As you’ll recall, it was a subject of much controversy back when the NPA was in charge because it was seen as a pet project that was going to cost the city a bundle of money. Whatever. It’s here now and the bills are marginally smaller than originally project: only $10.7 million to get it going, instead of $12.3; and only $5.1 million a year instead of $5.6.

It’s popular with some people already though. Apparently about 4,500 people applied for the couple dozen jobs at the centre.

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