France’s new child-free train carriages divide opinion: ‘Supermarkets next?’

Earlier this month, France’s state train operator SNCF rolled out a new carriage on its high-speed trains.

They say the ‘Optimum Plus’, which is a subcategory of first class, provides a ‘quiet journey that’s ideal for working or relaxing’.

Available on select TGV trains on the Paris-Lyon route, the carriage is located at the end of the train and promises to offer a ‘premium, personalised travel experience’.

This blissful commute is thanks to a strict policy: a ban on passengers under the age of 12. Sorry, kids.

The move has sparked a wave of criticism, with France’s high commissioner for children, Sarah El Haïry, criticising the ‘no kids’ ban as ‘shocking’ and advocating for more family-friendly options.

But the concept of ‘child-free travel’ has been gaining traction online for some time now, with some social media users calling for airlines to introduce ‘adults-only’ flights.

So we want to know what YOU think. Is this a logical progression for premium comfort travel, or is it a slap in the face for parents?

A controversial move

From political cabinet to TikTok comment section, this is a seriously divisive issue.

Some have welcomed the idea of child-free travel, while others – including Sarah El Haïry – have denounced the exclusion, arguing that it alienates families. Ms El Haïry told news service BFM that ‘travelling with children is not a problem to be fixed, but a reality to be supported.’

SNCF has already responded to the backlash. A spokesperson told Metro: ‘The Optimum class is a dedicated area, available Monday to Friday only, with very limited seating (8% of seats). This means that 92% of seats during the week and 100% at weekends are open to everyone.

‘It is designed to meet the specific expectations of our business customers or those who want a special travel experience with personalised service and flexibility.

‘The toddler tickets and child tickets (until 11) are not available in this area, and this is nothing new: this was already the case for many years in our previous Business Première offer, without any negative feedback.’

The statement continued: ‘We have never accepted the numerous requests from customers who have long been asking for entire carriages, such as first class, to be child-free on TGV INOUI trains.

‘There are nursery areas on TGV trains and we welcome 300,000 children every year as part of the Junior & Compagnie program. It is also possible to reserve tickets in the Family Area, a space on board reserved primarily for families.’

SNCF reiterated a number of these points on their Instagram, however, some users remained upset by the decision.

@milk.and.koala wrote: ‘The problem is, for years women and mothers have been complaining about insecurity and judgements, but in the end you would rather remaster an already existing section than create spaces suitable for families.’

This mindset proved popular, with a number of other individuals suggesting that there were other solutions to integrate children and manage childish behaviour. @MathildeBesset proposed ‘adapting wagons for families, making play areas available, or promoting the smoothness of families entering the train.’

‘I would rather pay not to be on a carriage with hen or stag dos’ — what do our readers think?

Adam England is 26 and does not have children – someone you might imagine would be very much for these kinds of ‘kid-free’ trends. But, you’d be wrong.

‘I think there’s a real anti-child sentiment running through society at the moment, and I find it unsettling,’ Adam tells Metro.

He adds: ‘I might not want kids myself, but they’re part of society too and if young families have to segregate themselves away from us, how are kids going to learn how to act and behave around other people in public?

‘I share the same view if I’m working on my laptop in a coffee shop during half term. My instinct is to be frustrated that there are children making noise – as children do – before I remind myself that they’re just as entitled to this space as me, and that if I want childfree quiet, I should stay at home.’

Plus, it’s worth notingthat adults can be just as disruptive on public transport.

Jo Wraith, 43, is a mum-of-two and sits very much in the ‘no camp’ for this reason: ‘I just came back from a weekend which involved two long train journeys with my eldest son and he was a far more considerate traveller than several adults we encountered.

‘If we don’t let kids travel alongside everyone else, how do they learn to become adept?

‘I have taken trains with both my kids since they were tiny, and as much as children have a right to travel it also rests on their parents to supervise, entertain and amuse little ones.’

Adam adds to this: ‘If young children are annoying, they have an excuse – they don’t know any better. Grown adults who are watching TikTok videos out loud, refusing to move from reserved seats, not flushing the train toilet, on the other hand? A million times worse.’

Only recently, Metro spoke with a group of adult culprits who admitted to listening to music without headphones on public transport, or having entire phone calls on speakerphone… So, if we’re letting them onboard, shouldn’t we give kids the same courtesy?

However, after we asked Metro readers to share their thoughts on our Facebook page, it was clear that some were keen on the idea.

Mark Smith wrote: ‘Ever since it became acceptable for parents not to have a modicum of control over their little cherubs and let them run riot then yes, I agree with child free areas on trains and planes.’

Jennifer Myers added: ‘Absolutely, nothing worse than a screaming kid in a tantrum. Supermarkets next?’

Another child-free travel advocate Filipa Castro, 27, tells us: ‘If it was a long journey and I knew I’d be really tired then I’d probably consider it – as long as the difference in price wasn’t crazy. I think I’d be willing to pay up to £10 to £15 extra if the train journey was 5 hours or more.’

Kirsty Ketley, 45, said that while she isn’t thrilled by the concept, it could be a great idea if it removes ‘the constant, crushing fear of being judged for having children.’

She added: ‘Travelling with kids is already a military operation. Add the side-eyes, the sighs, the muttered comments when a baby cries or a toddler fidgets, and suddenly what should be a practical journey becomes emotionally exhausting, so if having child-free carriages would stop that – at least for a train journey, than actually, it’s a yes from me.’

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