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MNRCC Supports EOH Quiet Car Pilot

The Metro-North Railroad Commuter Council (MNRCC) applauds Metro-North Railroad’s decision to make permanent its successful quiet car program on its West of Hudson lines and, starting October 17, to implement a pilot program to test quiet cars on East of Hudson trains operating in morning and evening peak hours between Grand Central Terminal and Poughkeepsie, Beacon, and Wassaic.

The MNRCC appreciates these improvements to the quiet car program and expects that East of Hudson riders will enjoy quiet cars as greatly as have their fellow commuters on the Port Jervis and Pascack Valley Lines.  The Council notes that in a July survey of over 1,000 West of Hudson riders, 82 percent of them were satisfied with the quiet car program as it was operating at that time.  It is telling that almost one fifth of those surveyed reported that they changed their usual locations on the train to sit in the quiet car, while only 4 percent of respondents moved out of the quiet car to sit elsewhere.

These survey results are consistent with findings on other rail lines in the region and experience on other rail systems around the country.   MNRCC Chair David Buchwald stated: “We are pleased that Metro-North’s West of Hudson quiet car program proved popular with riders.  We enthusiastically commend Metro-North for introducing quiet cars to the Harlem and Hudson lines.  Our Council has pushed for this initiative in the past. We believe that giving riders a choice in their commuting environment will make for a more pleasant traveling experience.”

According to flyers handed out by MNR, approximately 31 trains that operate between Grand Central and Poughkeepsie, Beacon, and Wassaic will have designated quiet cars.  Quiet cars are available on select peak trains indicated by a “Q” in the timetable.

During the AM Peak, the LAST CAR of these trains will be designated a quiet car.
During the PM Peak, the FIRST CAR of these trains will be designated a quiet car.
(Reverse-peak trains are not included in this pilot program.)

Customers traveling on Quiet Cars should:
— Not use cell phones
— Disable sound features an computers & other electronic devices
— Conduct conversations in a subdued voice
— Use headphones at a volume that cannot be heard by fellow passengers

Conductors will had out on an “as needed basis” specially designed “Shhhh” cards that explain the rules of etiquette in English and Spanish.