Asking for quiet
A few riders
wanted to get a word in about designating “quiet cars” on suburban
commuter trains. In Transit recently looked at some U.S. railroads
that have special coaches where no music, cell phones or loud talk
is permitted. After GO Transit spokesperson Edmund Shea outlined
several challenges to having quiet cars here in the GTA, some
readers piped up.
Andrew
Czerwinski writes, “As a regular user of the GO train, I don't agree
with Mr. Shea that the trains are ‘quite quiet.’ Yes, overall they
could be noisier, but the fact is a lot of people speak loudly to
each other or on their cell phone.
”If you happen
to be sitting near them, it can be irritating. Finding a quiet spot
can be difficult, if not impossible. I for one would use quiet cars
if they were available.
Barbara Dickens
rides the Lakeshore line from Oshawa and says there are some noisy
people who “talk so loud you'd think they were trying to drown out
the noise of jet aircraft. I know there are signs about cell phones
and listening to music -- but believe me, people don't pay any
attention. I've heard music from someone's earphones three seats
away.”
Diane Wells
writes that, “Over the course of my three-year commute from Hamilton
to Union Station, I have observed that the majority of long-time,
regular riders (especially those whose trip lasts well over an hour)
prefer a quiet ride, rather than one where they are subjected to
loud conversations, cranked-up portable stereos and
cell-phone-ringer symphonies.” She adds that the “right of the
majority of the riders to enjoy their journey is being trampled by
the few".
Far and away,
the loudest complaints I hear from GO riders are about train delays
and the need for timely accurate announcements in stations and on
trains. In Transit has reported extensively on plans to upgrade
communication to patrons, and GO managing director Gary McNeil
reports GO is providing train crews with “special training on
customer communications” which should be complete by the end of the
year.
As promised
earlier this winter when delays were rife, GO is preparing to
install a satellite location system to identify where trains at all
times. McNeil says that more up-to-date messages will be announced
at stations, where attendants will soon have computer links and
public address systems are being improved.
There will be
no snoozing aboard a special GO train this Saturday -- especially
for train fans. A 70-year old steam locomotive will haul a regular
commuter train on a very uncommon commute to Milton. I hear the
engine, called the CPR Empress, still has the power to compete with
its more modern peers -- and up to 1,000 people will be along to
experience the unique day trip. The train will depart Union Station
at 10 a.m. and return at 2:45 p.m., with a two hour break to check
out the Empress and have lunch in the town of Milton. GO Transit and
the Canadian Pacific Railway have scheduled this run in support of
Breakfast for Learning, an organization that wants to ensure that
all Canadian children receive a nutritious breakfast before school.
$30 tickets are
available from Ticketmaster at
www.ticketmaster.ca -- search under “CPR”. The $100 family
ticket is a good for four people. Those just planning to take
pictures should consider donating at
www.breakfastforlearning.ca. I’m a bit of a train geek, so you
may see me on board.
Send e-mail to
transit@eddrass.com.
Include address and phone number.