Thameslink ",Ironing Board" Seats to be Replaced, Government Funds Upgrade

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has confirmed that the unpopular ",ironing board" seats on its Class 700 Thameslink trains will be replaced. This decision follows significant public criticism regarding their comfort.

Government Funding for Seat Replacement

The Department for Transport is funding the entire project, which will see all 25,000 seats across the 115-strong fleet replaced. The new seats are designed to offer enhanced comfort, featuring increased padding and updated fabric.

Jenny Saunders, GTR's Customer Services Director, stated the upgrade was a direct response to passenger feedback, acknowledging the long-standing dissatisfaction with the current seating. The replacement programme is slated for completion by spring 2025.

This initiative aligns with the government's stated policy of bringing more rail services under public control. While GTR is privately operated under a management contract, the government's direct funding of such infrastructure improvements suggests a move towards greater state involvement in the passenger experience, rather than leaving such investments to the private operator.

The Class 700 trains, which commenced service in 2016, operate on routes connecting destinations such as Brighton, Cambridge, Peterborough, and London Gatwick Airport.