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Friday, March 29, 2024

East Coast announce plans for ‘silent’ First Class journeys

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East Coast is promising a more relaxing journey by creating a new Quiet Coach in First Class.

The train operator will introduce the Quiet Coach in May alongside a new complimentary meal and drinks service for customers travelling in First Class.

Both initiatives are part of a number of major improvements which East Coast is making to respond to customer demand and to increase its share of the travel market between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East England and Scotland.

The new First Class Quiet Coach will be available on all of East Coast’s services, providing more than four thousand ‘silent seats’ per weekday.

From 22 May, East Coast passengers travelling in coach K on electric-hauled trains, or coach J on diesel powered services, will be asked to:

• switch off their mobile phones or turn them to silent mode;

• make and receive mobile phone calls in the vestibule between the carriages to avoid disturbing others;

• refrain from using personal audio devices, gaming consoles or other electrical equipment, except in silent mode;

• speak quietly.

East Coast Commercial Director Peter Williams said: “The majority of First Class customers who we surveyed recently supported the idea of introducing a Quiet Coach on East Coast trains.

“Around four in five people surveyed said they would not mind fellow passengers having conversations quietly while travelling in a Quiet Coach. However, they would prefer that mobile phones and other electronic devices, including lap top computers and games consoles, were either switched off or switched to the silent mode.

“They said this would improve the atmosphere and ambience on-board, and help them to have a more relaxing and enjoyable journey.

“We already have a Quiet Coach in Standard Class, and are delighted to now introduce a Quiet Coach option to customers travelling First Class from 22 May.

“Customers travelling in First Class will also have the added benefit of being able to enjoy our recently upgraded Wi-fi and a new at-seat complimentary food and drink service all as part of the same ticket price.

“All of our customers will also benefit from a new and improved timetable which will provide more services, more seats and many faster journeys for customers across our 920-mile long route.”

Advance reservations for seats in the new First Class Quiet Coach will be available from Friday, 25 February, for travel from Sunday 22 May.

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