Shh! I'm enjoying a calmer ride

For passengers searching for some calm before or after the workday, the Long Island Rail Road, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launched a Quiet Car pilot program on certain peak hour trains on the Far Rockaway Branch to give commuters a place with no cell phone conversations, noise from electronics or loud conversations.

The pilot program, which began Dec. 5, includes four-morning rush hour and six evening rush hour quiet cars between Far Rockaway and Atlantic Terminal. According to Salvatore Arena, a spokesman for the MTA, the pilot program was launched in response to customer requests. The last train car during the morning rush and the first car during the evening rush are the quiet cars.

Inwood resident, Gwynn Campbell, has been riding the LIRR to work since 1988 and said she’s noticed the quiet cars but sits with friends instead. “Having rode the train so long, there is a group of friends I sit with and we’re not quiet,” she said.

Although she chooses not to sit in a quiet car, there are several benefits for having them Campbell said. “Sleep, since we’re all tired,” she said. “And while cell phones are somewhat of a convenience to touch base with people, people don’t like hearing others on cell phones.”

According to a press release issued by the MTA, the program will have commuters self-monitoring one another and conductors will hand out cards with “Shh” written on them to commuters who are not obeying the quiet car rules.

While people in the quiet cars may use headphones at a subdued volume and converse in a low voice, they must refrain from using cell phones and pagers as well as disable sound on all electronic devices.

Terry Schure and Peter Bartfeld, both Woodmere residents and commuters, have not been on a quiet train but said they would be happy if they could. “Right now there are only a couple of trains that offer it so (Peter) has not had the opportunity to be on one,” Schure said of her husband. “I think having quiet cars is a great idea — there is nothing worse in the early hours of the morning than hearing someone loudly droning on about nothingness.”