Making Transit More Social

Quiet cars are spreading to subways and trains across the country. But what about conversation cars, for people who WANT to talk? Alex Marshall says cars for socializing would be great for creating community.

1 minute read

January 17, 2011, 10:00 AM PST

By Tim Halbur

Marshall laments the fact that mobile mp3 players and other devices have supplanted the pleasure of talking to strangers on the subway:

"All of which leads me to a modest proposal: The Conversation Car. In this train car (or bus section) one would be assured, upon entering, that fellow passengers are ready and willing to chat. Putting speakers against your ears or a screen in front of your face would earn frowns as severe as those now cast at someone who conducts a business call in a Quiet Car."

Alison Arieff over at GOOD comments: "The optimist in me says yes, such a car might help restore the dying art of conversation but I can't help but think of the type of New Yorkers such a car might attract."

Thanks to Alison Arieff

FULL STORY: Let's talk, stranger: Why our subways should have conversation cars

Friday, January 14, 2011 in The New Daily News

Transportation United States Conversation Car

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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