Government to banish 60,000 ‘ironing board’ seats on busy commuter trains

The transport secretary has promised ‘more comfortable alternatives’ for rail passengers

Aug 28, 2026 - 17:15

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Government to banish 60,000 ‘ironing board’ seats on busy commuter trains

More than 60,000 “ironing board” Thameslink seats are set to be upgraded as part of ongoing government rail reforms.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander has announced plans to replace the seat base cushions on all 115 Thameslink trains with “more comfortable alternatives and improved backrests”.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the move marked “an end to the notorious 'ironing-board' seats that have long frustrated commuters on one of Britain's busiest rail routes”.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), Britain’s largest train operator, transferred to public ownership in May.

GTR will move forward with plans to fit upgraded standard class seats as part of the government's “drive to ensure Great British Railways delivers tangible improvements for passengers”.

Proposed improvements will be rolled out over two years starting in 2027.

First class seats will benefit from improved seat base cushions, but will keep their existing backrest design, said DfT.

The 70 trains currently not fitted with a seat back table will also be fitted with them.

Ms Alexander said: “This is what public ownership looks like in action. Less than 100 days since GTR transferred into public control, we're delivering on the improvements commuters have been asking for.

“From next year, we’ll start getting rid of the dreaded ‘ironing board seats’ so passengers can enjoy comfier, more pleasant journeys on some of Britain's busiest commuter routes.”

John Whitehurst, CEO at GTR, which operates Thameslink, said: “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.

“Through customer research with everyday commuters, we've gathered valuable insight to help us shape the best possible solution for cushion comfort onboard our high-capacity trains. We’re pleased to move forward with plans and bring about those much-expected improvements.”