Accessibility and quiet cars on the CTA
In Chicago, public transit is a lifeline for millions of residents. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) buses and trains provide affordable, frequent service across the city. Yet despite significant investments in accessibility—from ramps and braille signage to priority seating—the system lacks one feature that has proven effective elsewhere: a dedicated Quiet Car.
While this concept may sound novel in the context of city transit, it is well established in other systems. Metra, the commuter rail serving Chicago’s suburbs, has operated Quiet Cars since 2011. On most lines, the second car from either end is reserved during rush hours for passengers seeking a calmer ride. In these cars, cellphone calls are banned, conversations must be minimal and quiet, and electronic devices are required to be muted. Conductors enforce the policy with small reminder cards, but in practice, riders largely self-police the environment.
Amtrak goes further, offering Quiet Cars on many of its corridor routes. There, dimmed lighting and restrictions on phone use create a refuge for passengers overwhelmed by noise, commotion, or fatigue. Rules are simple: mute devices, use headphones at low volume, and keep conversations brief. Many riders now consider these cars a standard amenity. Even New Jersey Transit piloted “Quiet Commute” cars, responding to customer demand for calmer travel options.
The CTA, by contrast, offers priority seating for people with disabilities, as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act. These seats, located near entrances, are marked and reserved but do not extend to sensory accessibility. As the CTA itself states, “Priority seating is for customers with disabilities and seniors.” For individuals with autism, sensory processing disorders, PTSD, or anxiety, however, the absence of quiet accommodations can be as limiting as a missing ramp.
Public health research underscores why this matters. The World Health Organization identifies environmental noise as a major health risk, linking it to sleep disturbance, cardiovascular issues, and cognitive impairment in children. Noise exposure is also associated with heightened stress and negative mental health outcomes. For transit riders—trapped in crowded, often loud environments—the consequences can be profound.
Recent CTA legislation has leaned heavily on punitive measures, such as cracking down on smoking in train cars, which may punish unhoused riders without addressing the systemic causes of homelessness. A Quiet Car policy would take the opposite approach: a proactive measure that improves accessibility, supports mental health, and directly helps people manage the intensity of urban transit.
The solution is neither complicated nor untested. A single Quiet Car per train, clearly marked and staffed with minimal enforcement tools, could dramatically improve the riding experience for people who struggle with overstimulation. It would also benefit anyone simply seeking a reprieve from the chaos of daily life. Metra’s success shows that culture, not constant policing, sustains the norm.
For the CTA, adopting Quiet Cars would be a low-cost, high-impact step toward true accessibility. Accessibility is not just about being able to board—it is about enduring the ride without unnecessary harm to one’s mental or physical health. The infrastructure exists. The model exists. What remains is the political will to act.