Thameslink to replace 60,000 train seat cushions from 2027

More than 60,000 standard-class seat base cushions across the entire fleet of 115 Thameslink trains are scheduled for replacement, beginning in 2027. The Department for Transport (DfT) announced the upgrade, which will also include improved backrests for standard-class passengers. The work is expected to take two years to complete.

Fleet upgrades and public ownership

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First-class seats will also receive upgraded seat base cushions, though their backrest design will remain the same. Additionally, seat back tables will be fitted to the 70 Thameslink trains that currently do not have them. These improvements come after Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR), the operator of Thameslink services, was brought under public ownership at the end of May.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the seat replacements are an example of "public ownership of our railways in action" as part of the new Great British Railways programme. Ms Alexander said that the work, starting in 2027, aims to provide comfier and more pleasant journeys for passengers on busy commuter routes. She added that these changes are a starting point for broader railway improvements.

John Whitehurst, chief executive at GTR, confirmed that customer feedback highlighted the importance of comfort. He stated that the company has been developing plans to enhance seating based on insights gathered from everyday commuters. Mr Whitehurst expressed satisfaction that these improvements are now moving forward to benefit millions of passengers using the extensive network.

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Criticism of procurement

However, the DfT has faced criticism regarding the initial procurement of the trains. The fleet was built at a cost of £1.6 billion, and some have pointed out that warnings about seat discomfort were present at the time of the contract award. Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden commented that promises of improvement on nationalised services have so far resulted in "fewer trains, fewer seats, and more delays."

Graeme Pickering, a senior correspondent at Railway Magazine, noted that framing the upgrade as a solution to "private sector mess" might be inappropriate, given that the Department for Transport itself procured the trains. Thameslink operates services across London and the South East, including routes in Sussex, Surrey, and parts of Kent.