Metra likely to expand quiet-car program

Metra’s quiet cars are a hit with riders on the Rock Island Line and could be expanded throughout the suburban rail system this spring, officials say.

“We have received positive feedback for the quiet cars on the Rock Island,” said Bill Tupper, acting executive director of Metra.

“My expectation is we’re going to roll it out on other lines,” he added. “I don’t see it as a long, drawn-out process.”

The quiet-car test program — in which the first and last passenger cars on rush-hour trains are designated for no cell phones, no audible music and quiet conversation — is set to run three months. Tupper said the board could approve expansion of the program at its monthly meeting in February or March.

Conductors give cards explaining the program to those in violation and ask them to move to another car. Tupper said the few complaints concerned other cars being more crowded than the quiet cars, but that for the most part there seemed to be an adequate balance.