By Philip Newman
Is your commute spoiled by cell phone gabbers, music from electronic gadgets and loud-voiced fellow travelers?
The Long Island Rail Road may be able to help if its new pilot program is well received.
The LIRR this week began including what it calls Quiet Cars on some trains of its Far Rockaway branch between Far Rockaway and Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn.
These trains are supposed to be free of the aforementioned annoying distractions.
“As more and more electronic devices enter our lives — smart phones, cell phones, DVDs and music players, tablets — many of our customers have asked for some relief from the noise they can create during their commute to and from work and other activities,” said LIRR President Helena Williams.
“This pilot is meant to respond to customers who seek quiet during their travels on the LIRR and is part of our overall effort to improve customer service.”
The 5:22 a.m., 6:28 a.m, 7:18 a.m. and 8:54 a.m. trains will include quiet cars from Far Rockaway to Atlantic Terminal as well as the 4:31 p.m., 5:11 p.m., 5:49 p.m., 6:27 p.m., 6:59 p.m. and 7:56 p.m. from Atlantic Terminal to Far Rockaway.
LIRR officials said the pilot program will be voluntary on the part of passengers. Conductors will hand out “Shh” cards to passengers who fail to comply.
Announcements will be made in Quiet Cars informing passengers and reminding them of the location of the cars as well as accompanying restrictions.
Conversations must be in subdued voices.
The LIRR will evaluate passenger reaction to the pilot program and decide whether to expand it.
Metro-North Railroad conducted a pilot program last summer on its Port Jervis and Pascack Valley lines and expanded it to all peak trains. Amtrak has included Quiet Cars for several years.
