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Department for Transport gov.uk

More comfortable commutes ahead: rail reform spells end of the 'ironing-board' seat era on Thameslink trains

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Thameslink will upgrade its standard class seat cushions from 2027 to give millions of passengers a more comfortable commute.

  • millions of Thameslink passengers to benefit from more comfortable journeys with an upgrade to over 60,000 seats on one of the UK’s biggest train fleets
  • part of the government’s drive to improve journeys for passengers ahead of the introduction of Great British Railways
  • overhaul marks 100 days since GTR’s transition into public ownership and follows improvements including fleet clean up and more regular Gatwick Express services

    • 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 £3.6 million is being invested in the fleet to revamp exteriors, alongside refreshing onboard facilities including toilets, with new wall vinyls installed to deter graffiti and antisocial 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 2026 double the number of Gatwick Express services will run every hour. 

    Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:

    This is an extract. The publication continues at the source.

    Read the original at the source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-comfortable-commutes-ahead-rail-reform-spells-end-of-the-ironing-board-seat-era-on-thameslink-trains

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    Department for Transport — imported from official source
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    https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-transport.atom ATOM
    Imported
    September 18, 2026 11:34
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    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/more-comfortable-commutes-ahead-rail-reform-spells-e...

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