LNER customers will soon find it much easier to locate an available seat or wheelchair space thanks to a major technological upgrade across the operator’s Azuma fleet. More than 36,000 new “SeatSense” smart sensors are being installed following a successful trial, marking a significant industry‑first step in real‑time seat availability.
The compact devices, positioned above every seat and wheelchair space, use radio‑wave technology to instantly detect whether a space is occupied. This replaces reliance on reservation data alone and provides a live, highly accurate view of capacity on board.
LNER has partnered with Sensative AB, whose sensors demonstrated over 98% accuracy during trials. Cable‑free and powered by a single, energy‑efficient cell battery, the system can be deployed without operational disruption — a key advantage for busy mainline fleets.
A further improvement accompanying the rollout is the removal of the “May be reserved later” message on Azuma services. Seats and wheelchair spaces will now show:
- Green – Available
- Red – Reserved
- Amber – Available now but reserved later in the journey
This simplified display aims to improve customer confidence when boarding and reduce uncertainty during busy periods.
David Flesher, Commercial Director at LNER, said:
“We’re incredibly excited to be introducing this highly accurate and innovative technology across our fleet of Azuma trains. The ability to provide this real-time information for both our customers and our colleagues is set to be a gamechanger for LNER and the rail industry. The sensors will not only benefit our customers, but they will also help us better forecast demand and ultimately support us in operating a more efficient and responsive railway.”
Johan Frilund, Chief Executive Officer at Sensative, said:
“In strong collaboration with LNER, we have demonstrated that high-accuracy, battery-powered seat occupancy sensing can be fitted at scale, certified for rail operations, and deployed across a live fleet without impacting service. The full rollout of SeatSense across the LNER Azuma fleet establishes a new reference point for how trusted, infrastructure-grade data can support operational decision-making while improving the customer experience.”
With widespread deployment now underway, the move positions LNER as a leader in customer‑focused digital innovation and sets a new benchmark for real‑time rail occupancy data.
Image credit: LNER
