Rode last night’s 6:16 pm New Jersey Transit train westbound in the svelte new double-decker. It took a bit longer than usual for commuters to board–extra caution needed for some folks, negotiating the three steps on each car, as people filtered through the cars looking for empty seats.

Once aloft in the balcony section, I was treated to a snug but comfortable ride, feeling a bit more giddy than usual. I let my geek-flag fly proudly, as I hung my backpack on the small plastic hook in front of me.

The train was indeed packed–it was a a semi-express–hitting some of the more populated commuter towns on the line.

As we sliced smoothly through the Meadowlands I figured on my usual quiet evening ride–not much talking, perhaps the soft purr of Blackberrys scrolling in the hands of Wall Street scions floating back to Chatham.

This was sadly not to be, as some chatty college kids shared with each other (and the entire upper deck) their seemingly witty comments at full volume, of whatever Broadway play they wanted us to know they attended that day.

In my first unofficial survey, the double-decker’s low ceiling and plastic seats make the sound carry much further through the compartment.  I usually read on the evening ride, and enjoy a short travel nap like a toddler. But with the thespian pundits across the aisle, I busted out my iPod an melted into a superior “Dark Star” from Roosevelt Stadium 8/1/73.