Progress made on £3m seat refurbishment programme

East Midlands Railway has reported that more than 1,200 seats have been refurbished on its InterCity fleet as part of a £3 million programme.

The rail operator is in the process of replacing standard class seat covers and foam padding across its 27 Midland Main Line trains.

So far, 1,200 have been refurbished, with 25 of the trains boasting the updated seats.

The project, which will refurbish 5,214 standard-class seats and 243 tip-up seats, represents a significant investment in the Class 222-fleet and will benefit UK rail customers for years to come, even as the fleet eventually transitions to life after EMR with the arrival of the new Aurora trains.

The seats are being changed to a neutral grey colour and are being refurbished during routine maintenance without the need to take any trains out of service.

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

Ian Hyde, fleet director at East Midlands Railway, said: “Our multi-million-pound seat refurbishment project is progressing well, and the new seats coverings have been received very positively by our customers.

“It is hoped that all the seats of the fleet will be finished by early spring, ready to take customers up and down the Midland Main Line in comfort as they enjoy all our network has to offer.”