Quiet Car Program Expanded

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company (MBCR) today announced that they will expand the “Quiet Car” pilot program to all commuter rail lines on a permanent basis.

“The MBTA is pleased that the Quiet Car pilot program has provided customers with an enhanced experience onboard commuter rail,” said MBTA General Manager Richard Davey. “We are committed to providing customers with the best service possible, and programs like Quiet Car go a long way towards fulfilling that obligation.”

The pilot program began as a 90-day trial on the Fitchburg and Franklin lines at the start of the new year. Customers gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, with nearly nine out of 10 customers suggesting that the rest of the system would benefit from having quiet cars on their trains. A similar percentage urged MBCR and MBTA to continue offering the service on their lines.

“MBCR is encouraged by the initial customer feedback and will work closely with the MBTA to provide the Quiet Car program to all of our customers,” said MBCR General Manager Hugh Kiley.

The program is the result of initial surveys conducted by the MBTA and MBCR in 2010, which indicated significant demand for the service.

Quiet Car service is available on peak-hour trains only. The car closest the locomotive will be designated the quiet car. Customers using it will be asked to refrain from cell phone use; keep pagers, cell phones, laptop and PDA sounds off or on vibrate; as well as keeping voices to a whisper. Riders seated in a quiet car who need to use the phone will be required to move to another car for the duration of their call. Conductors will make normal announcements during the trip. Conductors will be authorized to lift quiet car restriction during times of disruption or severe overcrowding.

http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/news/local/quiet-cars-coming-to-all-comm…">Quiet cars coming to all commuter rail lines: MyFoxBOSTON.com