Oakland, Calif. – July 30, 2019: Talk may be cheap but it’s popular online, according to the Port of Oakland. The Port said today that its web-based customer service feature LiveChat this month has passed 10,000 visitors since launching in December 2015.
The Port said its online representatives are responding to about 200 online queries each month. It’s believed that Oakland may have the only online chat service among U.S. ports.
“We started LiveChat to make doing business with us easier,” said Port of Oakland Social Responsibility Director Amy Tharpe. “But it has blossomed into a platform to discuss just about anything that’s on the mind of our constituents.”
When visitors log onto the Port of Oakland web site, they’re prompted to query Port staff. Port representatives respond in real time to questions Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The questions run the gamut. For instance:
- Question: Can I pick up my cargo container with a pick-up truck? Answer: No. It takes something a little bit bigger – like a semi…and it has to be registered with the Port of Oakland
- Question: Can I get tickets for your free harbor tours? Answer: Sure. Just click here for instructions.
- Question: Can I get free parking at Oakland International Airport? Answer: Yep. Register here to qualify for a free parking day.
- Question: Are you a robot? Answer: No. Everyone at LiveChat is a real person
The most commonly asked questions for Port staff concern employment opportunities and how to import containerized cargo from overseas. Questions submitted overnight are logged and answered the next business day.
About the Port of Oakland
The Port of Oakland oversees the Oakland Seaport, Oakland International Airport, and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square. The Port’s 5-year strategic plan – Growth with Care – pairs business expansion with community benefits, envisioning more jobs and economic stimulus as the Port grows. Together with its business partners, the Port supports more than 84,000 jobs in the region. Connect with the Port of Oakland and Oakland International Airport through Facebook, or with the Port on Twitter, YouTube, and at www.portofoakland.com.
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