It seems that quieter commuting is a hit with GO Transit riders. That’s why the company has decided to make its test Quiet Zones a permanent fixture on the upper level of train coaches.

First piloted on the Barrie line last February, the Quiet Zones were introduced on the rest of the train lines in July, where they have met with approval of 80 per cent of GO riders, according to company surveys.

Passengers using the upper levels of the coaches are simply asked to keep talking to a minimum and to mute their electronics between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and between 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. That allows riders to catch up on their sleep or their work without the distraction of others’ noise.

Riders who want to use their phones or chat with friends are asked to use the lower and mezzanine levels of the trains.

The rule is not, however, enforced and GO doesn’t want customers pushing the yellow emergency alarm strips to summon customer agents. The agency won’t honour its 15-minute late refund policy if that happens.

Although the Quiet Zones are already announced by the customer service ambassadors on the trains and signs have been placed on the upper levels, GO plans to roll out a new communications strategy to explain the Quiet Zones to its riders.

Meantime, it is also launching a new courtesy awareness campaign to try to get passengers to quit behaviours that annoy fellow riders, such as using earphones that leak noise, blocking doors, putting feet and bags on the seats, talking loudly or using cellphones at length.

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