A new ban on trains in a European country is expected to anger passengers. French rail operator SNCF has unveiled a new “Optimum” carriage on its high-speed TGV Inoui trains, and children aren’t allowed.

The carriage, designed for weekday commuters, promises a quiet, premium travel experience, but the decision has sparked controversy. The Optimum carriage is a first-class section featuring reclining seats, individual power outlets, reading lights, winged headrests, and free Wi-Fi.

SNCF says it is meant for passengers who want to start their day without distraction, describing it as a “high-quality travel experience.” The company notes that “to ensure maximum comfort in the dedicated space, children are not permitted.”

To keep the area peaceful, the Optimum carriage is always located at the end of the train, preventing passengers from walking through and disturbing others, the Sun reported.

Tickets also include access to TGV INOUI lounges at stations, which offer high-speed Wi-Fi, drinks, newspapers, magazines, and an entertainment portal.

The carriage is only available on Inoui trains, which run across France and extend into Germany and Luxembourg. On weekends, the carriage reverts to regular seating, open to passengers of all ages.

Travellers should also be prepared for a significant price jump.

 A standard one-way ticket from Paris to Lyon costs €56 (£48.63), while an Optimum ticket is €180 (£156.31) for the same route – more than three times the usual price.

The new rules have drawn criticism. France’s high commissioner for children, Sarah El Hairy, called the ban “shocking,” while the podcast Les Adultes de demain said SNCF had “crossed a red line” by excluding children.

In response, SNCF stressed that the Optimum carriage makes up less than 8% of a train’s total capacity, arguing it will have minimal impact on families.

While child-free train carriages are new in Europe, the concept is already familiar in air travel.

Airlines, including Corendon, Scoot, AirAsia X, and IndiGo, have introduced “quiet” or adult-only sections, often restricting children under 12 or 16 from the area.