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An end to mobile phone bores on the train
Danny Brierley27.10.08
A TRAIN company is planning to cover windows in its carriages with a hi-tech film that blocks mobile phone signals.
Travel firm C2C will use the coating in its "quiet" carriages to stop shrill ringtones and loud conversations.
C2C runs busy commuter services from Essex into Liverpool Street and Fenchurch Street.
One carriage in all of its trains is designated a quiet zone, where mobiles, personal stereos and other electronic gadgets are banned and travellers must chat to each other "quietly and with consideration for others".
The coaches are popular but a poll of passengers found many were concerned the rules were not being enforced strongly enough. Most train companies have similar zones, but it is thought C2C is the first to use the coating, made of a combination of metals, plastics and chemicals. Light can still pass through windows covered with the film but transmission of wi-fi, radio and phone signals are blocked.
The film was developed by scientists in America for companies who wanted to stop internal wireless communications being hijacked from the outside.
A spokesman for London Travelwatch, the watchdog for public transport users, said: "We have had people who contact us after getting very annoyed that people in quiet zones continue to use their telephones. It is a welcome move there are plenty of other carriages if people want to use mobiles."
Graham Holden, a 33-year-old salesman who travels from Southend to London three times a week, said: "It's one of those things that divides opinion. If, like me, you get annoyed at loud and intrusive mobile telephone rings and conversations you will think this idea is manna from heaven."
A C2C spokesman said: "We know that most of our passengers like the idea of the quiet zone. However we are aware that there is a concern about enforcement of this policy on a day-to-day basis. Therefore, after consultation, we have agreed to this course of action."
Some mobile phone "jammer" devices are legal to own but illegal to operate. Using the film does not break the law as passengers who sit in quiet carriages agree to their terms and conditions, and to having their telephone signals blocked. There are also signs to remind them of where they are sitting and regular announcements.
Reader views (48)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I live near a mobile mast, where can I buy this material?
- Dave, London
A quiet carriage with... "regular announcements" to remind people they're in the quiet carriage. Which kind of defeats the purpose surely?
- Haggis, Glasgow
a lot of people are in the move all the time, so trains and buses well be a little to much, but the "must be" quiet places like movie theaters, church's, hospital and other, then yeah, i agree 110%, because even myself i forgot to turn off in those times.
- Sergio Matos, Viana do castelo, Portugal
Restaurants should have this film: Nothing annoys me more than some loud talking person on a phone in a restaurant while I am trying to enjoy a quiet night out.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
Ken of Bexleyheath has obviously just got his first mobile phone and is still over-excited by the thought of impressing others as to how important he (thinks he) is. Tee-hee, LOL everyone!
- Annabelle, london
Well done C2C!!!!! At last! A train company that actually LISTENS to their passengers/customers/clients etc. If this is a success, would the others please follow? And who knows, it might just make a few of us smile more often.
- Joannie, London, England
Great - I can't wait for this to be expanded!
There are people discussing their love life on their phones - in detail - the latest recipes they have tried and mindless chatting about what to wear that night, etc., etc., yawn yawn yawn. It's strange also that mostly, the ones who do this are alone and have extremely loud voices!
- D. A., Torquay, Devon
This is NOT a first. This technique has been in use for some years on Chiltern Railways out of Marylebone.
- Mike Burmester, Bristol UK
Much as I detest sitting next to a phone bore, there's something fundamentally wrong with the idea of arbitrarily silencing them just because I, and some outspoken critics don't like it.
What next? Banning groups of people talking about subjects you might not agree with (so have a special car for them); people wearing smelly perfumes (or not wearing some perhaps when they really should!) - yep, they can have a special car too; people who chew with their mouths open; people who have a cough; people who look shifty or dangerous even if they are not (just in case)?
The list could go on for ever, each item sillier than the one before. This all speaks of people's general intolerance, whatever the isolated individual merit, being more important than their self control. If you're going to get any kind of social live and let live attitude going again, people are going to have to give a little to get a little back.
Selfishness is a two way street.
- Rogan, Irving
Can we then coat Tubes, buses and in the very near future aircraft please! Or perhaps we should have a mobile ASBO where instead of being tagged the bores are wrapped in this film???
- Mark, London
This is an exteremely good idea as I have travelled in Vigin's quiet carriages and there are always two or three people who think "quiet" does not apply to them. The many people who talk rubbish endlessly on mobiles on any journey on public transport are proof, if any is needed, that excessive use of mobile phones can cause brain damage!
- Michael, London
While I agree with the principals I have a couple of real concerns.
Moving to another carriage is fine provided the train isn't (as is so often the case) so crowded as to make that a non-solution.
Mobile phones are one user of the signals that will be blocked but laptop datacards is another that would, I suggest, be totally acceptable in the quiet cabin. The film will cut off datacards as well as phone making working quietly on your laptop in the quiet zone history.
- Tony, Cambridge, UK
Not before time...no wonder the country is in a mess...all these idiots who have to talk, talk, talk..please lets have quiet carriages on all trains and tubes and downstairs on buses, also !
- Jean, London England
The selfish and arrogant attitude of Ken, Bexleyheath shows why this is such a good idea.
- Matthew, Grays, UK
I have to agree with most on here and I am a lady who travels frequently on the C2C on her own at night. If you need to use your phone move to a 'phone friendly' carriage dont be selfish and start up a conversation in a quiet carriage. I am fed up with hearing other peoples conversations or rows that are banal to say the least. I once heard a woman giving out her full credit card details on her mobile whilst on a packed train, no sense some people. There is a choice, no need to panic use the carriage that suits your needs.
- Maggie May, London
Alexandra - you sound the panicky type. If you had read the article - it is only in "quiet zones" on trains they are planning to block mobile phone signals. You can sit with all the other noisy bores and make as many phone calls as you like. And why should the Mayor of London be interested in your social and travel arrangements? Talk about a sense of entitlement!
- Sandrino, London UK
Another example of interfering, bossy, petty officialdom. I seldom use my phone on a train, but if I want to, I damn well will.
- Ken, Bexleyheath
this is a classic case of a few spoiling it for the masses.
It inst that often I get an idiot on his phone on the train but it is definitely the one I remember.
If people used phones with consideration to others thsi problem wouldn't exist
- Stuart, Luton, UK
I see the "me" people are complaining about this idea. The fact that it could only be affecting them is prime justification for implementing the phone-blocking film. Self centered, selfish, and without a thought for their fellow passengers, who'd like a quiet journey in the Quiet Coach!!
If you need to use your phone to tell someone you're on a train, move to another carriage or a vestibule.
And as for the comment regarding an accident/terror attack/whatever - I'm sure that won't just affect people in the Quiet Coach. I'm quite sure other people, in other parts of the train, will have phones.
- Jock, London
I am against this. I use a completely silent pocket internet device which relies on mobile phone frequencies and so would not work in these carriages. That seems extremely unfair.
- Graeme, Newcastle
Alexandra - it says "one carriage in all of its trains" - just get into one of the other carriages which doesn't have the film.
- Debs, London
Alexandra, you can sit in the 6 or 7 out of 8 carriages that aren't noise-proofed. They aren't going to do this to all carriages -- just the quiet carriage or two set aside on the trains. Carriages A and H are the quiet carriages on First Great Western trains. Phone users have six other carriages. Unfortunately, phone users have just been ignoring train companies' requests to sit in the non-quiet carriages only. Give those who want a bit of peace, such as myself, a bit of peace! Great idea!
- Phil Jones, London UK
Alexandra, if you NEED to use your mobile phone on a train, go and sit in the 80% of carriages that are not mobile-free zones, and leave the popular quite zone for those who like a bit of piece and quiet.
And if you are being harrassed by someone on the train, what on earth is your partner going to do about it? You'd be much better off seeking the assistance of one of your fellow passengers, presuming of course that you haven't hacked them off in the first place by using a mobile phone in a mobile-free carriage.
- George, Guildford
I cannot wait for this to be put in place. There are times when I chose to sit in the quiet carriage only to have some idiot start chatting on their phone. The state of this country means that everyone is scared to ask the person to stop using their phone/playing their music too loud int he quiet carriage in case they get beaten or stabbed. Having this film will stop that fear of asking.
Have an equal amount of each carriage and let the public choose. Everyone gets a choice and in that a comfortable journey to and from work.
- Maggie May, London
Yee-hah! Stick the special coatings on the windows upstairs in the buses too!
- Dave, North London
They should also ban noisy children from the quiet carriages. I say this as a mother of a noisy child.
- Claire, London
Great! While I appreciate mobile phones are annoying this is completely impractical. As a woman who uses the train to get home after evenings out (I only do this because cabs are so expensive - take note Boris) I think this is a ridiculous idea. I quite often phone my partner to let him know I am safe and on my way home plus what if I feel threatened by someone - stations are largely un policed and un staffed at 8pm let alone 10 or 12 so what would I do should I need assistance.
- Alexandra, London
Hurrah! I hope the others do, too - and soon.
- Suzanne, London
Bethany, regarding the implementatin of the technology in prisons, you make a very perceptive point; a similar techology is in fact undergoing trials in Ireland, for example, and is expected to be rolled out in all prisons here shortly. I quite agree, enough is enough. There are no plans however to roll it out in the UK prisons. Soft Labour government...
- Simon, Dublin
Excellent idea, well done Boris.
- Stephen, London
I know, make every coach a quiet coach apart from one then all the boring losers can sit together and everyone else can have a peacefull journey.
- Jane, London, England
I find this type of tinkering tiresome. The real problem with commuter trains is that passengers are packed in like sardines with not enough seats to go round, added to which the peak rail fares are a rip-off.
Sort out the real problems before messing around with the minor ones.
- Martin, Reading, UK
A good idea to stop nuisance conversations, but, with regard to personal security, it should be remembered that female passengers are always at risk around certain train/tube stations. A lot of woman/girls usually contact someone to pick them up on arrival at a station and, if this channel of communication is completely removed, there could be increased danger - especially in isolated and unmanned railway stations. The MOBILE PHONE IS A LIFE LINE, NOT JUST A LEISURE/FUN GADGET. Why don't they create mobile phone booths in trains then?
- Rita, London
What happens if you are travelling and an undesirable person start harassing you or you need to tell someone you train is running late?
- Anon, london
Better to make quiet carriages the norm and have one carriage for mobile phone users.
- Nick, London
The sooner C2C introduce this, the better. Only one coach is designated a quiet coach so there is ample room elsewhere on the train for the low-life who want to breach the peace.
- Douggie, Southend
When there is a major incident, ie terroist,muggers rapists etc, how would people be able to contact the police or other emergency services? Although mobiles are annoying, they have helped save lifes. I personally find people who cough and sneeze everywhere more annoying. Also those who don't use deodrant.
- Triffidqueen, Desk in London
Fantastic news. Mobiles should be used in public for important or urgent calls only. This proposal may even result in sane people having a better commute and mobile aficionados leading more interesting and happier lives, at least while they are on the train. Only last Friday, did I end up sat between two commuters having long and loud conversations which I was forced to hear, the banality of which you would not believe... Clearly they did not feel embarrassed about their conversations,nor did they seem to mind others having to listen to them. How sad people are!
- Daniel, London
Any chance of doing it to the House of Commons, so that none of the crap that MPs waste their time on escapes into the real world?
- L.Taubler, London / UK
Excellent - at least I can snooze in peace without having to listen to the theme to the A-Team blasting out like we had this morning!!
- Sarah, Enfield
Music (or lack of it) to my ears. This has given me enough happiness to get through winter. Now those pesky MP3 players next please!!!
- Martin H Watson, Teddington
excellent news. Please can we also have this on the lower level of double decker buses. I agree with Phil - don't waste money putting it on the underground use the money to ensure the comfort of the passengers instead of their discomfort (air conditioning, more trains, more seats, etc)
- Andy, London
What a great idea. I really welcome this initiative and hope that many more railway companies provide a similar service soon. Also, if the technology is available to block mobile telephone reception there is no reason why it cannot be implemented in all prisons - the unauthorised use of mobile phones has escalated in recent years with numerous crimes being organised by individuals whilst in custody.
- Bethany, London
Liverpool Street to Chelmsford, a young lady had a long argument with her boyfirend, at one point screaming:
"I HAVE NOT GOT THE HUMP!!"
down the phone at him. Very tiresome.
- Sid Barnett,, Barnett
Oh, I do hope we get this on our train. Its amazing how many people sit in the quiet zone only to immediately get their phone out to inform a spouse that, "I'm on the train". Idiots!
- George, Guildford
About time. And TfL should end the huge amount they are spending to bring mobile phone service to their deep Underground lines. It's nice for at least short periods during the day to get away from these devices.
- Phil Jones, London UK
"There are also signs to remind them of where they are sitting and regular announcements."
So not so quiet coaches then?
- Roy, England
Maybe the Prison authorities should use this in Prisons to stop criminals using mobiles.
- Den, London
