GB News host Andrew Pierce has expressed frustration over Network Rail’s latest language guidance, which instructs staff to stop using the word “passenger” amongst other traditional terms.
Andrew criticised the rail infrastructure body for “going completely woke” with its new gender-specific language restrictions.
He told GB News: “This is the organisation that is responsible for the trains. So the infrastructure effectively tracks the tracks.
“They’re telling their staff this, they’ve gone completely woke. Staff have to use gender specific language.
Andrew Pierce fumed at the new language guidance
GB News
“You’re not a mother or father anymore, you’re a parent. You are now a pregnant person. Mankind is changing to peoplekind. Workmanship, that’s male so that becomes quality of work.
“Normal is now neurotypical. Who’s going to use that word? Who is going to use word neurotypical?”
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Co- host Bev Turner pointed out: “If you have children at school now, you describe the child as neurotypical or neurodiverse.
Andrew said: “You’re kidding.”
Bev responded: “No I’m not. The kids with learning needs are neurodiverse.”
Network Rail has issued a 134-page document titled “Speaking Passenger” which instructs staff to adopt less formal language when communicating with the public. The guidance aims to reduce customer frustration during train delays and cancellations by using more conversational terms.
Network Rail revealed that they would prefer their staff to use the word “you” as a neutral term rather than “passenger”
PA
Several formal words have been removed from the company’s official lexicon, including “purchase”, “obtain” and “rest assured”.
The document encourages staff to use simpler, more direct language that reflects everyday speech rather than corporate terminology.
“We don’t speak Network Rail language anymore,” the guidance states. “We speak passenger.”
Instead of using “passenger,” staff are now advised to use the word “you” as a neutral term that avoids gender assumptions.
Andrew said that Network Rail has gone “completely woke”
GB News
The guidance document provides a clear example of how Network Rail wants its announcements to change, particularly during service disruptions.
Instead of formal messages like “All services are currently cancelled due to recent storm events. We would like to apologise for the inconvenience this may cause to your journey,” staff are encouraged to be more direct.
The preferred style is demonstrated in this alternative: “I’m really sorry everyone but we’ve had to cancel all the trains this evening.
“A tree’s fallen across the tracks just outside the station and it’s going to take a few hours to clear.”