By Philip Newman
The Long Island Rail Road has expanded its Quiet Car program, which LIRR President Helena Williams said followed what she called “a very positive response from our customers.”
The LIRR said the special cars are now part of all peak, single-level trains running to and from Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal during morning and evening rush hours. The western-most cars on these trains are the Quiet Cars.
The railroad began the pilot program in the peak period on the Far Rockaway branch in December 2011 and expanded it to include the Long Beach, Hempstead and West Hempstead branches earlier this year.
The LIRR put the Quiet Cars into operation for passengers who want peace and quiet — free of cellphone talk, noise from other electronic devices and annoying, one-sided conversations from fellow travelers.
“We have closely monitored the pilot Quiet Car program since its inception at the end of 2011 and through its first expansion in March and have seen a very positive response from our customers,” said Williams. “Some of our customers are eager to enjoy some quiet time during their commutes and this expansion is designed to meet those requests. We all have been on a train when someone is talking too loudly on a cellphone or playing music on headsets at a high volume. This program gives customers an alternative.”
Conductors on board Quiet Cars hand out special “Shh” cars to riders who are seen as failing to comply with rules.
— Philip Newman
