LIRR Tries Out Quiet Cars [POLL]

The MTA expanded its Quiet Car pilot program last week to include the Hempstead branch, which stops in Garden City.

The program is an effort to accommodate customers seeking a quiet environment during their commute that is "free of cell-phone conversations, sound from other electronic devices and loud conversations," according to the MTA website.

On the Hempstead, Long Beach and West Hempstead branches, the expanded pilot will provide for quiet cars on rush hour trains to and from Atlantic Terminal only.

The westernmost car on the train is be the quiet car. While the program is voluntary with customers self-enforcing, conductors in designated quiet cars will hand out special "Shh" cards to customers who are non-compliant. Announcements, however, will still be made in these cars.

The LIRR stated it will continue to gauge customer reaction to the pilot program and decide whether to expand it further.

Do you think the Quiet Car program is a good idea? Vote in the poll below or share your thoughts in the comments section.