Rail operator invests £3m to refurbish seats

East Midlands Railway has said it is to refurbish more than 5,500 seats on its Intercity fleet as part of a £3 million project.

The rail operator has said it is completely replacing its standard class seat covers and foam padding used on its 222-fleet, which operate on the Midland Main Line.

The project will see 5,272 standard-class seats and 243 tip-up seats refurbished.

They will be changed to a neutral grey colour and will be refurbished during routine maintenance without the need to take any trains out of service.

EMR customers will begin to benefit from the upgrade this month, as the first units with the refurbished seats travel up and down the Midland Main Line.

The old seat materials will be recycled – with the foam being transformed into material for rubberised safety matting used in children’s play areas.

Ian Hyde, fleet director at East Midlands Railway, said: “This is great news for our Intercity customers while we await the exciting introduction of the Aurora fleet.

“The refurbishments will significantly improve the experience and environment for our customers – all without the need to take any trains out of service.

“This much-needed refresh of the train interiors represents a significant investment for the fleet and future-proofs them, enabling them to continue serving UK customers wherever they go after they leave us.

“It’s also gratifying that we are able to recycle the old seat materials into something beneficial, rather than just sending them to landfill.”