As of February 11, GO Transit will be testing out quiet zones on most trains on the Barrie Line. These quiet zones are the result of requests from some customers for a silent area to relax in away from noisy cellphones and loud headphone music (at least for riders that even use headphones for their tunes). The designated zones will be on the top level of most Barrie Line train coaches, but won’t apply for the southbound 7:22 a.m. trip nor the northbound 5:35 p.m. trip from Union Station.

For those that wish to partake in the quiet zones, all electronics (iPad, laptop, you name it) must be muted and the volume on earbuds lowered, and since stairways are included in the silent areas, you’ll have to go to the lower level to make or take a phone call. Even with precautions against noisy electronics, announcements will still be made in the zones, and GO Transit warns that sounds from around the train will likely still be heard. Also when the trains are faced with delays or inclement weather, the quiet zones may be temporarily suspended.

As if the precious quiet zones weren’t facing enough obstacles, they won’t be monitored by staff so GO Transit suggests users of the areas “quietly and politely” ask loud rulebreakers to turn down the volume, or move to the lower level. While Canadians tend to do as told and follow the rules, considering the reaction the proposed zones are receiving, a quiet and polite request to keep it down may not work so well.

[via CTV News]

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Hallae Khosravi is an intern at Toronto Standard. Follow her on Twitter @hallaek. 

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