LIRR expands quiet-car program

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) plans to expand its “quiet car” pilot program to all peak-hour trains on the Far Rockaway Branch, and select rush-hour trains on the Hempstead, Long Beach and West Hempstead branches starting April 2.

All morning and evening rush-hour trains on the Far Rockaway Branch will feature a designated quiet car, including those operating to and from Penn Station, LIRR officials said in a prepared statement.

Previously, the pilot on the branch only targeted rush-hour trains operating between Far Rockaway and Atlantic Terminal. On the Hempstead, Long Beach and West Hempstead branches, quiet cars only will be available on rush-hour trains to and from Atlantic Terminal.

LIRR now will designate the westernmost car on the train to be the quiet car. Under the pilot program, the easternmost car was designated.

Quiet-car riders are asked not to talk on cell phones, engage in loud conversation or use electronic devices that make noise.

“We have seen a very positive response to our initial quiet car pilot on the Far Rockaway Branch,” said LIRR President Helena Williams.  “As we expand the program to now include rush-hour trains to and from Penn Station on the Far Rockaway Branch and new quiet cars on three other LIRR branches to and from Atlantic Terminal, we will closely monitor customer reaction.”

Earlier this week, MTA Metro-North Railroad announced plans to expand a quiet car program to all morning and evening peak-hour New Haven Line trains on April 2.