Virgin Trains QuietZone What is the point?

[Deleted User]

Virgin Trains give you the option of booking a seat in their QuietZone carriages, the idea being that passengers in these zones are not allowed to use their mobile phones etc and disturb other passengers.

I recently returned from London and had to contend with a large family group who were shouting, talking loudly on their mobile phones, one was playing loud dance music on his phone without headphones, another couple of them were watching TV on each of their phones again with the volume up and no headphones on, for the duration of the 5 hour journey not one member of staff entered the carriage not even to check tickets, this happens a lot, although this last journey really took the biscuit, I complained to Virgin who gave me this stock reply, which they post on Facebook to anyone who complains about noise in the QuietZone.

'It's disappointing to hear that you've had a bad experience onboard xxxx We do ask passengers to respect the rules of the coach and as you experienced on your outward journey, we do try to make announcements about this whenever possible. Hopefully you'll have a better experience of the quiet coach the next time you travel with us - Luke'

No announcements reminding passengers were made on my return journey which I had the problems with.

So if you have plans to travel in the QuietZone don't bother, it won't be any quieter than anywhere else on the train, it is just a marketing gimmick, they make zero effort to enforce it, I am at a loss why anyone who had no intention of being quiet would book a seat in the QuietZone, I am going to stick to flying at least I don't have to put up with inconsiderate people for too long.

fozmcfc

That would really, really, really aggravate me as well. I can't stand people who play music and video out loud or though headphones so loudly, they may as well not have them on.

Normally I do hear announcements on the train about quite zones and not using mobiles etc... and I haven't really experienced any substantial noise, when I've travelled in this coach, other than an odd discrete couple of mins mobile call. I must say I've only travelled in the coach half a dozen times of so.

The staff should have done a ticket check and again, normally on Virgin they do. I would then expect the staff to remind people, it's a quiet coach. Unfortunately, that can often lead to confrontations, police called and delays, so I do have some sympathy for the staff, although at least the initial ticket check and effort should be made.

EDIT....It looks like they are getting rid of them anyway. http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=118069

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the link, I think I will stick to flying, even the bus is quieter, drivers on the National Express actually tell individual passengers to be quiet over the PA if they are making too much noise.

marlot

North_Of_Utopia wrote: »

...
had to contend with a large family group who were shouting, talking loudly on their mobile phones, one was playing loud dance music on his phone without headphones, another couple of them were watching TV on each of their phones again with the volume up and no headphones on, for the duration of the 5 hour journey ...

There's a limit to what can be done after the event.

I'd have asked them to respect the quiet coach. Or if I felt intimidated, would have found a train manager.

worbikeman

If it's sold as a 'quiet zone' then a quiet zone it should be.
Otherwise they have taken your payment on false pretences.
If they are incapable of enforcing a quiet zone on their trains then they shouldnt sell tickets on the basis of them being in a quiet zone.
I agree entirely with the OP, if it was me I would want my money back.
There is far too much racket we have to put up with nowadays due to inconsiderate morons.
A bit of peace and quiet on a long journey is not too much to ask.
Especially if your journey has been sold as such.

sgun

Last time this happened to me I complained to the guard at the time and got moved to first class.

wealdroam

worbikeman wrote: »

If it's sold as a 'quiet zone' then a quiet zone it should be.
Otherwise they have taken your payment on false pretences.

What payment? No extra was charged for the quiet coach.

worbikeman wrote: »

If they are incapable of enforcing a quiet zone on their trains then they shouldnt sell tickets on the basis of them being in a quiet zone.

And they agree with you. Read the link in post#2.

worbikeman wrote: »

I agree entirely with the OP, if it was me I would want my money back.

What money would you want back?
If you bought a ticket and were conveyed from A to B, I cannot see that you have suffered any financial loss.

giraffe69

Better (marginally) to listen to loud music than people preaching about how "disgusting" it is to use an aircraft. Personally I think walking the hills and dales in sandals with thick walking socks and a stout stick is the only way to travel, so carbon friendly.

Azari

wealdroam wrote: »

What payment? No extra was charged for the quiet coach.

That's not really relevant, though, is it?

Op paid for a quiet journey and he did not get what he paid for.

Your comment is really both naive and foolish. If you are induced to purchase a product on the basis of some attribute of that product, and the product is not as specified your should be entitled to either:

Return it if it is a physical product

Receive compensation if the product cannot be returned.

It is contrary to consumer legislation to advertise a product that does not fulfil promises made for it.

paddyrg

sgun wrote: »

Last time this happened to me I complained to the guard at the time and got moved to first class.

What irks is when you pay the extra to go first class, and they've removed the 1st Class quiet cars now!!

daytona0

worbikeman wrote: »

If it's sold as a 'quiet zone' then a quiet zone it should be.
Otherwise they have taken your payment on false pretences.
If they are incapable of enforcing a quiet zone on their trains then they shouldnt sell tickets on the basis of them being in a quiet zone.
I agree entirely with the OP, if it was me I would want my money back.
There is far too much racket we have to put up with nowadays due to inconsiderate morons.
A bit of peace and quiet on a long journey is not too much to ask.
Especially if your journey has been sold as such.

Well, my post really wasn't about enforcing the 'quiet zone' principle (it was a minor point) but more about how OP choosing to fly next time is silly.

I'm not too far away from agreeing with your point, but there are some obstacles:

1. Nobody has provided details on Virgin's official policy with the 'quiet zone' - maybe it is just a recommendation?

2. Define 'not quiet'. Does a cough qualify? How about a squeaky chair? Or maybe you're not allowed to eat a packet of crips? This obviously links to point 1.

3. Can customers successfully argue discrimination, especially since "not being quiet" could well be a bit subjective?

I love how you "completely agree with the OP" - so you also agree that choosing to fly instead of train (which is not guaranteed to be less noisy!) is sensible, despite the increased CO2 output for the duration of your journey? Straight into the atmosphere at 30,000 ft! I suppose that isn't as bad as those "inconsiderate morons" who make too much of a racket.

I'm not big on environmental issues, but people need to show some level of respect! There is only one "inconsiderate moron" around here (unless you want to include yourself along with OP? I don't think you have agreed to such an extent with OP, but you never know!)