Full Breakdown
Thameslink Seats to Receive New Cushions After Public Ownership
8/26/2026, 8:44:12 PM
Core Upgrade Plan
More than 60,000 standard-class seat base cushions on all 115 Thameslink Class 700 trainsets will be replaced with thicker cushions and improved backrests. First-class cushions will also be upgraded, while existing backrests remain. Seat-back tables will be fitted to the 70 trainsets that currently lack them. The work is scheduled to start in 2027 and run for two years, covering the entire fleet.
Background & Context
In 2013 the Department for Transport (DfT) awarded a £1.6 billion private-finance-initiative contract to the Siemens-led Cross-London Trains consortium to supply and maintain the Class 700 electric multiple units. The trains entered service between 2016 and 2019. Early criticism emerged when a prototype was shown at London’s Excel centre in 2014; the independent passenger group Railfuture warned that the seats were “very hard” and predicted complaints on journeys up to 130 miles.
Greater Thameslink Railway (GTR) was transferred into public ownership at the end of May 2026 as part of the new Great British Railways programme. The seat-upgrade plan is the first major passenger-comfort project announced since the takeover.
Data & Statistics
- 115 Class 700 trainsets operate on the Thameslink network.
- >60,000 standard-class seat cushions will be replaced.
- 70 trainsets will receive new seat-back tables.
- The original DfT contract was valued at £1.6 billion.
- The upgrade programme will span two years, beginning in 2027.
Official Statements & Responses
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said the project demonstrates public ownership in action and highlighted that the upgrades respond to commuter demand for more comfortable journeys. She linked the work to broader reforms under Great British Railways, including fare freezes and additional network capacity.
GTR chief executive John Whitehurst explained that passenger feedback identified comfort as a priority, prompting the cushion-replacement programme. He noted that extensive customer research informed the design of the new seats.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The identity of the supplier for the new cushions has not been disclosed, and the funding source for the refurbishment has not been detailed. No source disputes the scale of the upgrade.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is what public ownership looks like in action.” — Heidi Alexander, transport secretary
- “Our customers tell us that comfort matters, which is why we’ve been working on plans to improve seating on Thameslink services and give the millions of people who use our extensive network a better experience.” — John Whitehurst, GTR CEO
Timeline
- 2013 – DfT awards £1.6 billion contract to Siemens-led consortium.
- 2014 – Prototype displayed at Excel; Railfuture panel issues hard-seat warning.
- 2016-2019 – Class 700 units enter passenger service.
- May 2026 – Greater Thameslink Railway placed under public ownership.
- 2027-2029 – Seat-upgrade programme implemented across the fleet.
What’s Next
The refurbishment will commence in 2027, with completion expected by 2029. Subsequent phases of the Great British Railways agenda may include further interior upgrades, expanded seat-back table installation, and continued monitoring of passenger satisfaction.
