PATCO beginning quiet car ‘experiment’

Beginning Thursday, the PATCO High Speed Line will have a quiet car during rush hour.

The quiet car will be at the rear of PATCO trains, no matter how many cars there are, said John Matheussen, president of the transit agency.

He said the goal is to give riders a choice and some peace during their trips between South Jersey and Philadelphia.

“The last car on rush-hour trains, both morning rush and afternoon rush, will be quiet cars, this is something that came directly from our customers and we think it’s a good program and has a lot of merit,” he said.

He said the goal is to give riders a choice and, if they want it, some peace during their trip.

“Technology has great advantages, sometimes people look at those advantages as disadvantages because you are never disconnected,” he said. “Whatever it is, it gives you an option you didn’t have before — and having a quiet car enhances that option.”

PATCO will not fine commuters who break the silence of the quiet car.

“We’re not looking to bring on the loud police or anything like that. We’re hoping that our customers will be respectful of each other. If they want to talk, there are other cars,” Matheussen said. “We hope they respect each other and get that accomplished.”

After a 90-day trial, officials will decide if the quiet car should be a permanent fixture.