The TfW website advises in the light of social distancing potential passengers book a seat.
Last week, my wife wished to travel from North Wales to Shrewsbury, and I tried to book her tickets on the website but found "no seat reservations possible"
When I queried this with TfW, I was told reservations are not possible because "staff are not willing to walk the train to place the labels on the seats" [presumably due to covid]. So why does their website advise such action? As far as I know, none of their present coaches have electronic displays.
When I collected her tickets the day before, I was surprised to find an extra coupon advising a space had been reserved on the train I originally nominated. I am not happy with the counted place method, for example would the conductor check at each station that the passengers had such a ticket, and, in this case, if an unexpected crowd had embarked at the station previously and there was now no space bearing in mind social distancing, would the conductor evict some to ensure she could safely board? I think not, nor would I wish it so.
The night before she expressed a wish to travel on an earlier train, which her ticket allowed, and I was surprised to find on the website I could reserve her a space on that train, and was issued an email with a reference number.
In the event, she travelled on her original train on which there was plenty of room, and with no ticket inspection on either the outward or return journeys.
I was left wondering what is the point? You pays your money and takes your chance.