Latest News | 19 January 2021
EMR unveils bespoke seats for new InterCity fleet
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has unveiled more details about the new interiors of its forthcoming new fleet of InterCity trains.
The Derby train operator has been working with city-based design firm DGDESIGN to come up with unique seats, specifically designed for its new Aurora trains.
It has taken the proven FISA Lean seat and refined it to offer enhanced comfort and support, as well as improving its appearance.
The seat rework has included increasing the size of cushions, headrests and armrests and making sure that high quality durable materials are used throughout, such as a wool-rich moquette and leather.
At the same time, EMR has also ensured the seats include all the practical and technological features that customers require, such as power and USB points, generous legroom, coat hooks, well-sized seat-back tables for all airline seats and space to stow a cabin-bag under each seat.
Rachel Turner, EMR’s head of new trains, said: “We know the FISA seat has a good level of comfort but we wanted to further enhance this by providing additional support in key areas, developing something that looks comfortable, inviting, and unique to EMR.
“All this has been done while ensuring we still meet the latest seat safety standards.
“Our customers are used to large comfortable seats, as found in our Meridian trains, so we wanted to maintain this character but go even further.
“It has taken a lot of work but we are delighted with the final product.
“Not only are they comfortable to sit in and look refined but they are also easy to keep clean and include all the features passengers should expect from a new generation of trains.”
When they start entering into service in 2023, the Aurora trains promise to offer significant advances on the existing fleet, with passengers benefiting from more seats and modern interiors.
The trains will also include features which passengers have said they want to see, including air conditioning, free WiFi throughout, plug sockets and better passenger information screens.
