Morgan Freeman is Out — But Another Celeb Has Volunteered to Narrate Vancouver Transit

Commuting in Vancouver just got a little more peaceful thanks to a new celebrity who will be making transit announcements this summer. In order to promote their new onboard credit card and ApplePay payment methods, Morgan Freeman’s calming voice will be projected over the speakers on select SkyTrain and bus routes in the next couple of months. Vancouver is the first major Canadian city to introduce these types of payment options on mass transit.

Though Freeman won’t have the job of announcing every stop, commuters will get the chance to listen to three different announcements on six different to-be-annnounced routes from June 4 to July 29, according to the Vancouver Sun. Announcements will remind riders about basic transit etiquette saying things like “hello bus riders. This is a smoke-free bus, but I’m sure you already knew that” and “remember what your mom used to say: Please keep your feet off the furniture.” Freeman will also continue to encourage transit users to tap their Visa, since he is the voice of the credit card after all.

So if you’re in Vancouver this summer, make sure to pay special attention to the transit announcements, as they’ll be the most soothing reminder not to smoke that you’ve heard in a very long time.

UPDATE May 24th, 2018: This morning, CNN reported that there have been multiple sexual harassment allegations against Morgan Freeman. In light of this, TransLink has made the following statement: “In light of information we’ve learned through news stories this morning of serious allegations against actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has decided to pause his voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on the transit system. We will be in touch with VISA to discuss further.”

UPDATE May 25th, 2018: Since TransLink dropped Freeman after the sexual harassment allegations, the public started to brainstorm a (Vancouver-born) replacement. Lucky for Vancouver, Seth Rogen is up for the job. After a Vancouver journalist suggested that Rogen (and his laugh) do the transit announcements, Rogen applied by saying to “let him know” if they need a replacement. TransLink jumped on the offer, and it appears that they are in talks. In summary, it’s been a weird 48-hours for Vancouver.