Qld Rail trials ‘quiet carriages’
Monday, August 30, 2010, 2:26 pm | Reported by Kira Donohue
Brisbane commuters now have the option of a peaceful train ride to work as Queensland Rail (QR) in a trial of ‘quiet carriages’.
On trial: the last carriage on south-east Queensland trains will be a ‘quiet zone’. Photo: Kira Donohue
In the three-month trial that began on August 24, the last carriage on all trains in Queensland’s south-east will be ‘silent zones’ and passengers will be prohibited from using mobile phones or music devices while using them.
Queensland Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said in a statement that posters and announcements in the carriage would tell passengers about the quiet zone.
But while Ms Nolan encouraged commuters to follow the noise guidelines, she drew the line at prosecuting potential offenders.
“This initiative can only be successful through the courtesy and consideration of all commuters,” she said.
“I urge those who wish to listen to music players, talk on their phone, or talk to each other, to please choose a regular carriage and leave the trial carriages for those who wish to travel in quiet.”
Permanent move?
A QR spokesperson said the new initiative had been well received by customers so far and if a success, the ‘quiet carriage’ would be permanent.
“Following the three-month trial, QR will talk to customers and employees to determine whether the quiet carriage will be implemented permanently,” the spokesperson said.
“We encourage our customers to provide us with feedback throughout the trial.”
‘Much needed’ change
Frequent Gold Coast-to-Brisbane commuter, Taylor Booysen, said the carriage would make a “much needed” change to the noise levels usually experienced by passengers.
“I think it’s a great idea and one that I hope they make permanent,” he said.
“Nearly every single train I hop on has someone who disrespects the other passengers by playing their music too loud.
“This will give passengers the chance to choose not to listen to that.”
He also offered a future improvement for Ms Nolan to consider.
‘Now if we could only get some quiet buses.’
QR has introduced a section on their website for customers and employees to leave comments and feedback.
The trial will run in all south-east Queensland trains from August 23 to November 22.
Tags: public transport, QR, Queensland Rail, quiet carriages, train, travel
I think that this is a ridiculous idea. I travel by train for more than 3 hours each day and to be expected to sit there and not speak is obscene. Even with people talking I have never had a problem sleeping or reading if I choose to.
What kind of society are we building when we are being TOLD that we are NOT to be friendly to other people around us. For those of us that commute we see the same people every day. I have made some great friendships through casual conversation on the train.
And the LAST carriage – why not choose another one. Most people who catch the last carriage are the noisy ones – so go for the ‘good guys’ who is in the first carriage.
The trial is failing big time – people will continue to talk and to make fun of the trial because they don’t want it. And the annoucements at each station make more noise than the passengers – it’s ridiculous and a joke.