Millions of Thameslink passengers are set to benefit from a significantly more comfortable journey after Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) confirmed plans to replace the controversial ‘ironing-board’ seats across its entire fleet as part of a major refurbishment programme delivered with Siemens Mobility.
More than 60,000 new spring and memory foam seat cushions will be installed across all 115 Thameslink trains, alongside redesigned winged backrests aimed at providing improved shoulder and head support. The work will begin in 2027 as part of an existing long-term maintenance agreement between GTR and Siemens Mobility, meaning the upgrade will be delivered at no additional cost to taxpayers.
The announcement marks one of the most visible passenger-focused investments since GTR transferred into public ownership in May, with rail leaders keen to demonstrate early improvements across one of the UK's busiest commuter networks.
Passengers have long criticised the current Thameslink seating for its firmness, earning the widely used nickname of ‘ironing-board’ seats. Following extensive passenger testing and feedback, the newly selected design is said to offer up to 57% more cushioning than the existing specification.
In addition to the seat improvements, seat-back tables will be fitted to the 69 trains that currently operate without them, bringing greater consistency across the fleet and improving the passenger experience on longer journeys.
The seat replacement programme forms part of a broader £3.6 million fleet refresh currently underway across the Thameslink network.
Since entering public ownership, GTR has already refurbished nearly half of its train exteriors and refreshed almost 300 train toilet interiors. The operator is also introducing new anti-graffiti wall vinyls designed to reduce vandalism and tackle antisocial behaviour.
Network enhancements are also planned beyond the rolling stock programme. From December 2026, passengers travelling to and from Gatwick Airport will see a significant increase in services, with Gatwick Express frequencies doubling.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said:
“Just 100 days since GTR’s services transferred into public control, we’re delivering the improvements commuters have been asking for – this is what public ownership looks like in action.
“From next year, we’ll start getting rid of the dreaded ‘ironing-board’ seats so passengers can enjoy comfier, more pleasant journeys on some of Britain’s busiest commuter routes.
“We know fixing Britain’s railway is more than a refurb job. We’ve frozen fares for the first time in 30 years and publicly owned operators have added 76,000 extra seats onto the network. Great British Railways will focus relentlessly on delivering a reliable, modern service that puts a better experience at the heart of everything it does for passengers.”
The new seating design has been developed using extensive customer feedback, with passengers invited to test prototype seats before the final specification was chosen.
Speaking about the announcement, John Whitehurst, CEO of GTR, said:
“Today is a brilliant milestone for GTR and our customers. Just 100 days since coming into public ownership, we’re showing how listening to passengers can deliver real, practical improvements.
“I’m delighted that passengers have helped us shape this new Thameslink seat cushion and backrest. By testing comfort options with the people who use our trains every day, we’ve chosen a cushion that will make journeys more comfortable across our network.
“I’m really pleased for our customers and look forward to seeing the new seats come on board from 2027.”
Passengers can experience the new seating design first-hand at London Bridge station, where demonstration seats are being displayed in the concourse on 10 and 11 September 2026.
Installation of the new cushions, backrests and tables will begin in 2027 and be delivered gradually over a two-year period to minimise disruption to passenger services.
The improvements form part of Siemens Mobility's ongoing 11-year fleet overhaul programme and represent one of the most significant comfort upgrades undertaken on Thameslink rolling stock since the introduction of the Class 700 fleet.
With passenger satisfaction increasingly at the centre of railway policy, the investment signals a shift towards practical improvements that directly address customer concerns while modernising one of Britain's most heavily used commuter rail networks.
Image credit: iStock
