Amtrak hushes Quiet Cars on Wolverine line

Amtrak hushes Quiet Cars on Wolverine line

Amtrak Quiet Cars do not require a special reservation — they are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Photo via fb.com

When traveling, it’s not uncommon to find yourself part of someone else’s business meeting, call home or heated argument.

Mobile phones have made it so almost anywhere we go we are privy to the details of someone else’s life.

Sometimes it can be like indulging in a reality show, but other times we just want some peace and quiet.

Unplugged service

Amtrak has recognized the need to unplug and has announced that, as of Monday, it will offer Quiet Car service on weekday Wolverine Service trains between Chicago and Michigan.

Amtrak offers three round trips on the Chicago-Ann Arbor-Detroit-Pontiac corridor every day.

“Many of our passengers are telling us they use their train trip to unwind, read or catch up on their sleep,” said Amtrak Central Division General Superintendent Tom Connolly. “They can't do that as well when the rest of the car is buzzing and ringing with calls home and to the office.”

Amtrak will offer riders a quiet environment by asking its passengers to refrain from using mobile phones, noisy computer programs or engaging in loud conversation.

Seats in the Quiet Cars will not require a special reservation — they are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

For the time being, Quiet Car service will not be provided on weekends.

Increased ridership

Quiet Cars have already been introduced along Amtrak’s Chicago/Milwaukee Hiawatha Service, and have been well received.

Amtrak said that Hiawatha ridership records have been routinely set, with more than 838,000 passengers last year, a 60 percent increase since quiet cars were introduced on the route in 2005.