Quiet cars started as a pilot program on New Jersey Transit trains in late 2010, and it appears silence is golden for many Garden State commuters.

NJ Transit Train
NJ Transit train (Townsqaure Media)
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Since then, the program has expanded to hundreds of NJ Transit trains, giving more travelers the option of peace and quiet during their trip to New York City or their ride home from work.

"The quiet car program has been exceptionally popular with our customers," said John Durso, an agency spokesman. "Customers have indicated a clear desire to enjoy their transportation experience in a quiet, tranquil manner."

The overwhelming majority of quiet-car-equipped trains roll during peak hours, between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m., and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Earlier this month NJ Transit expanded the program to off-peak trains that serve Hoboken Terminal on weekdays.

According to NJ Transit, the hushed cars are intended to provide a "subdued environment" for customers who are willing to stay off their phones and avoid loud conversations.

"We would encourage, if you are in a quiet car and you receive a phone call, please get up and move to a different car," Durso said. "If a customer is speaking too loud, a conductor will quietly remind them to please adhere to the regulations of the quiet car."

The quiet option is available to riders of all NJ Transit lines, with the exception of the Atlantic City Line.

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