Belgian railway operator SNCB is set to introduce “quiet carriages” across all its intercity trains. Passengers who purchase tickets for these carriages are expected to avoid making or receiving phone calls, keep headphone volume low so that others cannot hear the music, set their mobile phones to silent mode, and converse quietly.
“Quiet carriages” have already been tested on trains running between Brussels and Luxembourg, as well as between Eupen and Ostend. According to representatives of the railway company, these carriages have been very well received. Surveys indicate that seven out of ten Belgian passengers support the idea of quiet zones on trains, and three out of ten said they would use rail transport more frequently if such zones were available.
“Quiet carriages” are already present on trains in several other European countries, including Austria, Slovakia, Poland, the Netherlands, and Germany.
