As a regular traveller on CrossCountry trains (often as a turn-up-and-go passenger) I note that there are often many many seats that are reserved but for which the holder does not turn up.
This creates confusion as people will loiter in the aisles to see if the holder does turn up, or will occupy a seat in the hope that the holder does not, only to have to move if they do.
In the 1950s, seat reservations cost the nominal fee of One Shilling.
I wonder whether charging a nominal fee of £1 for a reservation today would deter casual seat reservations and thereby free up “available” seats on trains that are too short and usually packed to the rafters, even off-peak?
This creates confusion as people will loiter in the aisles to see if the holder does turn up, or will occupy a seat in the hope that the holder does not, only to have to move if they do.
In the 1950s, seat reservations cost the nominal fee of One Shilling.
I wonder whether charging a nominal fee of £1 for a reservation today would deter casual seat reservations and thereby free up “available” seats on trains that are too short and usually packed to the rafters, even off-peak?