Millions of Thameslink passengers are set to get a more comfortable commute as publicly owned operator GTR partners with Siemens Mobility to upgrade standard class seat cushions across all 115 trains in its fleet from next year.
The new seat cushions have been agreed as part of a pre-existing contract between the operator and Siemens Mobility, meaning the upgrades come at no additional cost to taxpayers.
Over 60,000 new spring and memory foam cushions will be rolled out from next year alongside improved winged backrests, replacing the notorious ‘ironing-board’ seats that have long frustrated commuters on one of Britain’s busiest rail routes.
The investment is one of many passenger improvements GTR is bringing in since the operator transferred into public ownership in May. Over £3.6million is being invested in the fleet to revamp exteriors, alongside refreshing onboard facilities including toilets, with new wall vinyls installed to deter graffiti and anti-social behaviour.
Since coming into public ownership, GTR has refreshed just under half of exteriors on its full fleet and nearly 300 train toilet interiors. The timetable is also being boosted and from December double the number of Gatwick Express services will run every hour.
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said:
“Just 100 days since GTR’s services transferred into public control, we’re delivering the improvements commuters have been asking for – this is what public ownership looks like in action.
“From next year, we’ll start getting rid of the dreaded ‘ironing-board’ seats so passengers can enjoy comfier, more pleasant journeys on some of Britain’s busiest commuter routes.
“We know fixing Britain’s railway is more than a refurb job. We’ve frozen fares for the first time in 30 years and publicly owned operators have added 76,000 extra seats onto the network. Great British Railways will focus relentlessly on delivering a reliable, modern service that puts a better experience at the heart of everything it does for passengers.”
Passengers can try the new seat for themselves at London Bridge station this week (Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September) where it is on display in the station’s concourse.
The new design, developed following extensive passenger feedback, offers up to 57% more ‘give’ than the current seat cushion, with new “wing” backrests for better shoulder and head support. First class seats get the same improved cushions, and seat-back tables are being added to the 69 trains that lack them.
