This is a a fantastic way of getting families to the seaside out of the car to sample the railway. It will also encourage families to visit new areas hopefully wthin the region served by ATW▸ encouraging people to sample a day out in Cardiff, visiting the countryside on the Cambrain and Heart of Wales lines whilst also encouraing people to seaside towns like Rhyl and Tenby. Hopefully by getting people out of the car you may get people to realise it is better and cheaper to let the train take the strain.
I have no issue with any of that
I do however have isues with:
1. Children getting half fare just by being children - they take up the same seat as an adult (gone are the days when we stood for the older generation to sit)
2. Promotions encouraging travel with them - children are just human beings albeit annoying ones with no volume control and no off button
If it's any consolation my children are just as willing to stand up in sardine like conditions without complaining if that's the way it happens (due to engineering works etc).. And they do have volume control you'll be happy to hear (although sometimes I do have to remind them of that
).. However, being seasoned train travellers, they would still much rather I drive them instead of getting the train
I just dont like noise and children come with it.
However, I have been on the odd train - usually local WM services) where I have been stood and a family have been there and two kids are sitting in seats.
I wonder what would happen if I suggested one of the kids on half fare stand so I can sit.......... i bet i'd get dogs abuse because if they were the sort of parents like mine we;re, the kids would have been cattle prodded out of the seats at the first sign of an adult standing.
And no I didnt like it but I was a kid and it came with the terrority.
Occupy a seat if others standing, pay full price