FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2013
ATK-13-089
Amtrak Contact: Marc Magliari
312 544.5390
MDOT Contact: Nick Schirripa
269 337.3927
“QUIET CAR” SERVICE STARTS AUGUST 19 ABOARD
WOLVERINE TRAINS BETWEEN CHICAGO & MICHIGAN
“Silence, Please” policy quiets cell phones and loud talk
CHICAGO – Amtrak will designate a Quiet Car® on weekday Wolverine Service trains
between Chicago and Michigan starting August 19. The Michigan Department of Transportation
supports this service enhancement in response to its popularity on other routes elsewhere in the
Amtrak national network.
“In today's business world, being connected and able to work from an Amtrak train is an
advantage. Amtrak understands this, and so we welcome cell phone and computer use on-board
our trains,” said Amtrak Central Division General Superintendent Tom Connolly. “But it is clear
there is also a market for peace and quiet, so it is also an advantage for us to provide a railcar
each weekday on Wolverine Service trains where travelers can unplug.”
The Wolverines are an increasingly popular way for travelers to shun high gasoline
prices, tolls and parking charges between Michigan and Chicago. The Wolverine Service trains
topped 421,000 passengers during the past 10 months (Oct. 2012-July 2013), an increase of
nearly six percent.
There are three round-trips on the Chicago-Ann Arbor-Detroit-Pontiac corridor every
day. Seats in the Quiet Cars do not require a special reservation – they are available on a firstcome, first-served basis. For the time being, Quiet Car service will not be provided on weekends.
“Many of our passengers are telling us they use their train trip to unwind, read or catch up
on their sleep,” said Connolly. “They can't do that as well when the rest of the car is buzzing and
ringing with calls home and to the office.”
While riding in the Quiet Cars, passengers are asked to refrain from using cell phones,
noisy computer programs or engaging in loud conversation. The Quiet Car on Wolverine trains
will be at the opposite end of the train from the Café car, which will also reduce sound volumes.
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Amtrak will place signs on the Quiet Cars and will put notices on the trains and at
stations to help inform passengers. More information about Quiet Cars is under the “Plan” tab on
Amtrak.com.
The only other corridor in the Amtrak Chicago Hub with Quiet Car service is the
Hiawatha Service between Chicago and Milwaukee. Hiawatha ridership records have been
routinely set, with more than 838,000 passengers last year: a 60 percent increase since Quiet
Cars were introduced on the route in 2005.
Quiet Car® is a registered trademark of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation.
About Amtrak®
Amtrak is America’s Railroad®, the nation’s intercity passenger rail service and its high-speed rail operator. A
record 31.2 million passengers traveled on Amtrak in FY 2012 on more than 300 daily trains – at speeds up to 150
mph (241 kph) – that connect 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces. Amtrak operates
intercity trains in partnership with 15 states and contracts with 13 commuter rail agencies to provide a variety of
services. Enjoy the journey® at Amtrak.com or call 800-USA-RAIL for schedules, fares and more information.
Join us on facebook.com/Amtrak and follow us at twitter.com/Amtrak.
About MDOT
The goal of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is to provide the highest quality integrated
transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life. MDOT has direct jurisdiction over
Michigan’s nearly 10,000-mile highway system, comprised of all Interstate, state, and U.S. routes. The state also
owns 4,704 highway, railroad and pedestrian bridges, 655 miles of railroad track (which is managed by private
operators including Amtrak), 103 miles of nonmotorized trails and four airports. For more information, visit
www.michigan.gov/mdot.
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