Rail News: Passenger Rail
PATCO makes quiet cars permanent

The Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) has extended permanently a "quiet car" pilot program on designated trains.

Quiet cars — the last cars on designated trains —  will be available Monday through Friday during morning and afternoon rush-hour periods. Riders in those cars will be expected to limit cell phone use to silent texting and silent games, to keep conversations brief and in whispered tones, and to listen to music through headphones, PATCO officials said in a prepared statement.

"Our customer survey data led us to two conclusions: The quiet car was a keeper, and customers valued it most during the rush hours," said PATCO General Manager John Rink.

PATCO has begun to outfit trains with signs to inform riders about the location of the quiet cars.