You get on a train, sit down and start relaxing when the person next to you decides to share their TikTok videos and music for the entire carriage to hear. Yes, it happens a lot these days, and you don’t want to deal with this nonsense.
This is why the Irish Rail put in place a revised Passenger’s Charter. Whereas before, the First Class cabin of any train operated by the cabin crew as a self-serve bar, now the focus is to streamline and enhance the overall experience.
The rule is simple: if your traveling across Ireland, playing music without using headphones is punishable by a €100 fine (about $115). Why equally punish the offense when you can punish the self-inflicted annoyance of shouting into a phone? It should be a place for relaxation, not the battlefield of the ancient world, with the competition being who of the speakers has been placed suffering the most torture.
The Dublin to Cork route now has the Quieter Coach
Some routes, like the busy line between Dublin and Cork, already have a Quieter Coach, a space where you minimise communication to a low level: no screaming, no shouting, and no phone calls except by the hands-free system and only if absolutely necessary, not sustained. This is an enormous improvement for people on the phone. Instead of being rapidly ignored and unplugged, the phone stays quiet, allowing the user to smoothly enter a void of relaxation.
Currently, Irish Rail is channeling that same energy to the network. It is not about the volume alone, passengers must always remember that respect is important. The charter asks people to refrain from putting their feet on the seats, smoking or vaping, or generally, putting the space in worse condition than it was found. Little things, but in the aggregate, they do improve the general ambiance of the trip.
Why the €100 Fine?
It might sound a bit too much but it is, in a way, a much needed reality check. Just like fare evasion, this too is a reminder that some rules must be observed, and it is there to reinforce the seriousness of the matter. Trains are communal environments, and nobody wants to be next to the annoying person playing music in a space where everyone is expected to be silent.
Thanks to this new rule, train personnel are now allowed to intervene when someone decides to be a rule breaker. It is not about punishment, but rather about the majority of people who desire a silent trip. Protecting the travel experience is the objective.
Respect principles on the charter includes keeping aisles clear, not blocking seats with bags, ensuring every person on board has comfortable space to move around. It is the kind of common-sense stuff that, when ignored, can ruin a trip for dozens of people.
A better travel culture for ireland.
These changes have to do with improving the public transport culture in Ireland. There are trains that daily link commuter cities, like Dublin and Cork, and extend the network to visitors who come to explore the country.
If the trip is calm, and respect is maintained, travel becomes a pleasure. Irish Rail understands that, is not only to moving from one point to another, but also to enjoying the scenery, listening to a podcast, or having a nap in peace and quiet.
So next time you hop on an Irish Rail service, remember: bring your headphones, lower the volume on your phone, and keep in mind that this space is not yours, but belongs to all of us. It is all part of the shared agreement.
Otherwise, that playlist might end up being the most expensive one you’ve ever played.