By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:39 AM on 15th April 2010

Passengers fed up with long and boring train journeys will be pleased to learn that a rail company has launched the UK’s first onboard TV screens.

First Great Western are introducing the on-demand service via seat-back screens on one coach of each of their high-speed trains. They are similar in size to those found on many airlines.

The TV screens will be fitted into all First Great Western’s high-speed trains by November

So far they have equipped 16 trains, which travel from London Paddington to southern England, the west country and Wales.

However, customers who wish to watch the latest TV shows, sports and documentaries will have to pay 3.95 for the privilege. They can also get one-hours access for 1.50.

They will also need to buy a 2.50 set of headphones unless they have their own.

The Volo TV touchscreen allows you to choose and control what you watch, so you can pause the action if you need to pop to the toilet.

Viewers can also use the TV to read the latest news headlines, follow their journey on a moving map and check out real-time journey information.

FGW’s Customer Service Director Neil Micklethwaite, said: ‘This is an exciting scheme that has seen a lot of positive feedback from customers.’

The train company plan to fit TVs on the rest of their fleet by November this year.

Share this article:

Here’s what readers have had to say so far. Why notdebate this issue live on our message boards.

The comments below have not been moderated.

may I suggest an increased investment in new trains, less gadgets, and afew seats would be a good start.
we all carry lap tops so seems quite irrelevant to have pay as you use trains.

- dominic.ogrady, lymington, 18/4/2010 08:36

Report abuse

Customers and passengers are considered to be too dumb to do anything else but watch television while waiting or travelling these days. Even in the waiting rooms of the opticians and dentists there is a television set turned on that you cannot avoid not seeing or hearing but if you actually want to watch it properly you have to crane your neck.

As for having larger screens as they would in economy class on planes then it would be imposing on other passengers. Bad enough when you have BBC News 24 running on the buses and even worse Sky News and Sport on large flat screens in pubs. Give me the old juke boxes any day.

- Teresa Lewis, Cardiff, UK, 17/4/2010 22:59

Report abuse

Ian Hallifax, UK, 15/4/2010 23:30. I do not believe you mate.
- Mick, Dubai, 16/4/2010 23:24

Well a bloke called Ian Halifax is behind this. Google him.

- Chris Davies, United Kingdom, 17/4/2010 20:48

Report abuse

What’s wrong with reading a book or looking out of the window?

- Johntymol, UK, 17/4/2010 17:34

Report abuse

Never mind the tv..
Give us back the leg room…so much more important that b…y . tv..
I hate travelling on thes type trains .
Still have people standing so it is much worse….

- Carol, Wales, 17/4/2010 09:43

I agree completely. There’s less and less leg room on First Great Western and it almost feels like travelling on a minor line on one of those trains that are similar to tube trains.

At one time there was little difference between first and standard class apart from different coloured upholstery and slighly wider seats. Now the seats are wider in first class with tables but narrower in standard class, all facing the same way and no tables whereas before only half of the seats were placed like that. A huge difference.

At weekends try and pay the upgrade to first class which is only a few pounds.

- Teresa Lewis, Cardiff, UK, 17/4/2010 09:58

Report abuse

Never mind the tv..
Give us back the leg room…so much more important that b…y . tv..
I hate travelling on thes type trains .
Still have people standing so it is much worse….

- Carol, Wales, 17/4/2010 09:43

Report abuse

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Train passengers can watch seat screen TV on-demand… but it will cost you


Related Blogs

Related posts:

  1. Coby TFDVD7751 7-Inch Tablet Portable Dual Screen DVD Player, Black
  2. The Cost of Traveling Western Europe – Nomadic Matt's Travel Site
  3. What is an MP3 Player Watch?
  4. Projector Screen Material
  5. If you only do one thing this week … watch the World Cup and keep work onside

Tagged with: • • • • •

Filed under: admin

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!