All aboard and quiet please
Minister for Transport Gladys Berejiklian today announced a three-month trial of quiet carriages on CityRail trains, commencing Monday 13 February 2012.
Ms Berejiklian said this initiative will be trialled on trains on the Newcastle and Central Coast Line, in response to feedback from customers wanting a more peaceful journey.
"Many customers are telling us they want a noise-free environment on their train trip," Ms Berejiklian said.
"In a recent CityRail customer survey, 70 per cent of passengers said they found loud talking on trains annoying and 67 per cent found loud music disruptive."
The first and last carriages of all six and eight carriage trains and the last carriage of four carriage trains on the line will be designated ‘quiet carriages’, giving customers the option to choose a quieter journey between Newcastle, Gosford and the City.
"Those who wish to use the designated quiet carriages will be asked to refrain from loud talking, playing loud music and using mobile phones," Ms Berejiklian said.
Member for Gosford Chris Holstein said feedback from Newcastle and Central Coast commuters will be sought over the three-month trial to judge its success.
"The success of this trial will rely on the goodwill of those in the quiet carriages and the respect they show their fellow passengers by keeping noise to a minimum," Mr Holstein said.
"The views of passengers will be sought on the effectiveness of the trial and what works and what doesn’t."
Ms Berejiklian said the popularity of quiet carriages on other rail networks including in Queensland, the UK and the US, has been based on customer courtesy and cooperation.
"Customers here in NSW have told us they want quiet carriages, so we hope they will support it. If it is a success, we will consider extending the initiative to other intercity lines."
"Passengers will be reminded of this trial through the display of station posters and announcements" Ms Berejiklian said.
Customers will be encouraged to give feedback via on-train surveys, online at www.131500.com.au 
or by calling 131500.
Media: Sam Fairlie-Cuninghame 0407 795 782
7 February 2012
