Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) has announced plans to replace more than 60,000 seats across its fleet of 115 trains, a move that aims to improve passenger comfort. The seats, widely criticized by passengers as "ironing boards," will begin to be upgraded in 2027, with the work expected to take two years.
This initiative is part of broader improvements planned for the Thameslink network following GTR's transition to public ownership in May 2026. In addition to new seat cushions and backrests, first-class seats will also receive upgraded cushioning. GTR also plans to install seat-back tables on the 70 trains that currently lack them.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that these upgrades are intended to eliminate the "dreaded 'ironing board seats'" and provide passengers with more comfortable journeys on busy commuter routes. These reforms are expected to continue under the planned Great British Railways organization, which will oversee rail services across England.
John Whitehurst, chief executive of GTR, highlighted that passenger feedback was a significant factor in developing these plans. "Our customers told us that comfort matters, which was why we'd been working on plans to improve seating on Thameslink services," he said. Thameslink operates services throughout the South East of England, including Sussex, Surrey, and parts of Kent.
Other planned improvements for the Thameslink network include an increase in Gatwick Express services starting in December and a program to refurbish train toilets and remove graffiti across the fleet.