Chicago's Metra rolls out ‘quiet cars’
Began testing of the “quiet car” concept on Monday, on the first and last cars on the Rock Island rail line. Rules include: No cell phone calls, conversations must be in subdued voices, and electronic devices must be silenced.
On Monday, Chicago-based Metra began its test of the "quiet car" concept on the first and last cars on the Rock Island rail line.
The agency's rules for the cars include: No cell phone calls; conversations must be in subdued voices; electronic devices must be silenced; and riders must ensure their headphones can't be heard by anyone else.
The test will last for three months. It will apply to morning inbound and evening outbound rush-hour trains, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The quiet cars will be labeled with decals.
If the test goes as expected, the agency will expand the program to other lines.
Metra expects the program to be largely enforced by peer pressure and conductor intervention when necessary. Rider feedback indicated that having a rule in place will empower them to ask noisy people to pipe down. To help the conductors, Metra has given them small notices that they can discreetly present to violators.
More Rail
Keolis and SNCF Voyageurs Bring Rail Expertise to California High-Speed Rail
The CDA establishes a collaborative predevelopment partnership intended to evaluate future delivery opportunities through public-private partnership models.
Read More →
Stadler Marks 10 Years in the U.S. with Salt Lake City Expansion
The expansion is expected to create up to 300 new local jobs, some of which are youth apprenticeships, said Stadler officials.
Read More →
MBTA Selects STV to Support Battery-Electric Locomotive Procurement
The firm's seven-year contract includes end-to-end support from bid review and selection through procurement, production, and testing.
Read More →
Executive Order Aims to Improve Transit Access Across California
The order directs state agencies to streamline transit project delivery, improve coordination, and expand access to bus and passenger rail services across California.
Read More →
California High-Speed Rail Advances Merced–Madera Construction Procurement
The procurement represents a major expansion of active high-speed rail construction.
Read More →
Amtrak Finalizes Pre-Development Agreement for Penn Station Overhaul
The agreement advances plans for a $7 billion to $8 billion transformation of New York's busiest transit hub, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2027.
Read More →
New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →