Searching for Switzerland's (Too Rare) Silent Train Carriages

Finding a quiet moment on a Swiss train journey has become an increasingly rare commodity, a stark contrast to the past when travelers might have sought to escape the world through quiet contemplation or study during their journeys. The article laments the loss of tranquility, noting that the very act of traveling by train, once a potential haven for peace, is now often filled with the noise of other passengers.

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Today, Flaubert would probably complain of the opposite: it has become almost impossible to get bored on a train. The omnipresent noise of others often prevents a peaceful or studious journey.

Modern train travel, particularly in second-class carriages of the Swiss Federal Railways (CFF), is described as a cacophony of disturbances. Passengers are frequently subjected to loud phone conversations detailing personal or professional matters, intrusive video calls, and casual chatter. The author also points to the sonic intrusions of loud music, often from young passengers seemingly oblivious to the shared space.

This pervasive noise transforms the train carriage into what the author metaphorically calls a "cour des miracles" – a place of unexpected and often unwelcome encounters and sounds. The expectation of a peaceful or studious journey is frequently dashed by the constant barrage of ambient noise, making it difficult for travelers to find the quiet they might desire.

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We learn about our neighbor's professional worries who confides on the phone, we witness video calls against our will, we hear silly conversations about the weather or discover the questionable musical tastes of the teenager sitting three rows away, who seems convinced that the entire carriage shares his desire to listen to sounds in a language that almost no one understands.

The piece reflects a personal journey of realization, where the author initially considered this noisy environment an unavoidable aspect of modern life. However, the article implicitly questions whether this is an acceptable state of affairs for a public transportation system, especially in a country known for its order and efficiency. The piece suggests a longing for a return to a quieter travel experience, highlighting the challenge of finding "too rare" silent wagons.

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In short, the second-class carriages of the CFF are a real 'cour des miracles'.