According to her co-passengers, Lakeysha Beard repeatedly ignored their requests to be quiet, Portland's KATU News reported.
The train staff eventually asked her to stop using her phone, which reportedly led to a verbal altercation and the police being called. The police in the US state of Oregon have charged her with disorderly conduct.
Speaking after the incident to KATU News, Beard said she felt "disrespected" by the incident.
(Published 22 May 2011, 12:28 IST)