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Business & Tech

Metra Listens; Debuts Test 'Quiet Cars'

Metra unveils cell phone-free zones for riders looking for a more peaceful commute. Local Metra riders hope to see the addition in Morton Grove.

recently announced a pilot program to test "quiet cars" after rider response showed that noisy passengers were disturbing the daily commute. Some Morton Grove riders said they look forward to the silent sojourn.

Metra's Rock Island line, which runs from Chicago to Joliet, will test two "quiet cars" per train car, set to begin in January. No cell phones, blaring music players or loud conversations will be allowed on the designated cars during the three-month testing period.

In October, officials asked riders if they identify a need for "quiet cars" in a month-long request for comments. Of the nearly 1,000 responses, 86 percent spoke up in favor of them, according to Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile.

"We want to provide this for people," Relie said, "But we also don't want to get into a position where we're inconveniencing other riders who don't necessarily have a strong opinion about this."

Drew Williams takes the Metra from Morton Grove to Chicago most days. The 24-year-old graduate student wants to see "quiet cars," but she isn't sure people will follow the rules.

"I don't know if people will adhere to it," she said. "It is a problem when people are yakking on the phone when it's really loud and you're trying to get work done and you forgot your headphones and your iPod for that day."

Reile said Metra had similar concerns about the practical application of the "quiet cars." At first, Metra insisted that asking rush-hour riders to move to another car to use cell phones would be an overall inconvenience.  While the number of people in favor caused Metra to react quickly, Reile said riders should also "self-police" in terms of their volume. The pilot cars should provide Metra with enough data to determine if the program will be successful, she said.

The Rock Island line was chosen for the trial because it is entirely operated by Metra employees, as opposed to four Metra lines, where the company doesn't own the rail or oversee staff. Testing the cars where Metra is the only operator will provide the most accurate data set, Reile said.

Kirk Vena, 33, looks forward to "quiet cars" systemwide and pointed to the success of New Jersey's transit system, which implemented its test version of the car Sept. 7.
 "I think it's a good thing for some people that don't want to listen to others yap on the telephone," Vena said. "To each his own."

Published reports show that Amtrak spearheaded the idea for the "quiet car" in 1999 after a rider's suggestion. They debuted in the Midwest in 2005, according to Amtrak Director of Government Affairs Derrick James. From what he's seen in his personal travels, Amtrak's version of the car has been a success, James said.

"I know that is it very popular," he said of the cars. "I know that it is very self-policing."

New Jersey's transit system, which carries nearly as many riders as Metra, is nearing its third month with the "quiet car" pilot. Local publications report positive feedback from commuters.

Although they're not legally enforceable, the cars are expected to catch on as riders new to the zone see others keeping quiet, Reile said. But if riders seated in a "quiet car" are too loud, a conductor will present them with a card suggesting they tone it down.


While news of the cars has created noise among riders, Reile said the cars shouldn't affect the current daily commute.

"I don't expect the ride to change for most of our riders," she said.


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