A new National Railcard has been launched that will enable travellers of working age to get a one third discount on most fares if they travel as a couple.

It’s called the ‘Two Together’ card and is part of a campaign to persuade motorists to leave their cars at home and take the more comfortable option of travelling by train.

Although the ‘comfortable’ option might be stretching it.

Trains are overcrowded as it is without encouraging more passengers onto them.

Solo travellers will get no benefits and still have to pay full price which sounds like one of those offers Sky or Virgin make to attract new customers. Existing customers will be paying full whack while newbies get a discount.

Leaving my cynicism aside, I tried to look at the new scheme from a more positive viewpoint. Think of all the new friendships that could be made if passengers heading to London turned up at the station with placards saying: “Companion wanted for the 7.15 to Kings Cross.”

Then could both buy Two Together cards and Bob’s your uncle. Friendships and, who knows, romance, could blossom on the two-hour trip (allowing for wet leaves) southwards and back.

It brought to mind a practice that has been long abandoned from the days when cinemas showed films with U, A and X classifications.

U meant the film was universal and open to anyone. X meant only those over 18 would be admitted. The A meant any child had to be accompanied by an adult.

This led, believe it or not, to unaccompanied children standing outside cinemas and asking an adult who was about to enter: “Will you take me in, mister?”

Which doesn’t bare thinking about in the light of the social realities we face today concerning the safety of youngsters. Wariness and suspicion are now inbuilt in our national psyche.

Even travellers wanting to make a 30% saving on their rail trip might be loathe to engage with a complete stranger in case of unexpected consequences.

They should take heart because there is nothing in the fine print that says two travelling strangers, bonded only by need and the urge to save a few quid, have to speak or sit together once they board the train.

Besides, it will probably be so overcrowded they won’t be able to.