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Wed, 26 Aug 2026

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 'Ironing board' seats to be replaced on Thameslink

Greater Thameslink Railway says these upgrades are part of the wider renationalisation plans.
The UK Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that all 115 Thameslink trains will undergo renovations, starting in 2027 and lasting two years. The project aims to replace the "ironing board" seats with new cushions and backrests, addressing long-standing criticism of the uncomfortable seating. A total of over 60,000 seats will be upgraded, and the changes are part of a wider plan to improve services on the Thameslink network after it was taken into public ownership in May 2026. The DfT spent £1.6 billion to purchase the trains from German manufacturer Siemens in 2013, with some critics arguing that the design prioritized capacity over passenger comfort.