East Midlands Railway has released details of the new seats which have been specially designed for the company's new Aurora trains due to enter service in 2023.
They have worked with Derby design firm DGDESIGN to produce a seat which offers enhanced support and comfort and has the appearance of what customers expect from a train seat.
Using durable materials such as leather and wool-rich moquette the design rework includes increasing the cushion size, headrests and armrests.
The seats also have power and USB points, seat back tables, coat hooks and offer generous legroom.
The new InterCity trains can run on electricity and diesel and will be built in County Durham at the Hitachi Rail factory.
The Aurora fleet will benefit from air conditioning, free Wifi and passenger information screens.
Rachel Turner, Head of New Trains at East Midlands Railway, said: “We know the FISA seat has a good level of comfort, but we wanted to further enhance this by providing additional support in key areas, developing something that looks comfortable, inviting, and unique to EMR. All this has been done whilst ensuring we still meet the latest seat safety standards.”
“Our customers are used to large comfortable seats, as found in our Meridian trains, so we wanted to maintain this character but go even further.”
“It has taken a lot of work but we are delighted with the final product, not only are they comfortable to sit in and look refined, but they are also easy to keep clean and include all the features passengers should expect from a new generation of trains.”
David Gordon, Director at DGDESIGN, said: “After safety and punctuality, seat comfort is probably the most important customer requirement and therefore a key focus for our interior design work, with every effort being made to optimise the at-seat experience by further enhancing an already proven seat system.”
“Headrests have improved lateral support for added comfort and privacy, cushions have been widened, armrests are softer and deeper, additional privacy screening has been introduced and upholstery detailing has been refined to improve aesthetics and cleanability.”
Mike Kean, Chief Originations Officer at Rock Rail, said “Comfortable seating plays a key part in delivering great passenger travelling experiences. We are delighted that the new Aurora seats will help transform passenger journeys together with the many other improved passenger, operational and environmental features of this state-of-the-art fleet.”
Amy Webb, Head of Programmes – Commuter, Hitachi Rail, said: “Hitachi is excited to be working with EMR to deliver the new Aurora Fleet for its passengers. As today's announcement underlines, Aurora passengers can expect to benefit from a comfortable journey, with more capacity and a new, modern interior.”
“The manufacturing of the trains is also benefiting over 75 suppliers across the UK – a number that will continue to rise – and will also support hundreds of jobs at Hitachi Rail's factory in County Durham.”
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I do think that East Midlands Railway will be able to use the Bi-mode Class 810 Aurora on the intercity services (London St. Pancras-Nottingham, Derby, Sheffield, Leicester, Loughborough, Market Harborough, Leeds, York, Matlock, Lincoln and Scarborough). With the Class 360s to work on the St. Pancras-Corby and Kettering electric service with some that could terminate at Bedford and Luton.