EMR passengers to test new seats

East Midlands Railway passengers have been invited to try out the new Standard and First Class seats that will be used for the operator’s Class 810 Aurora inter-city fleet.

Displays have been erected at Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield stations for the Italian seats designed by FISA and customised for EMR by Derby-based DGDESIGN.

According to EMR, the rework of existing FISA seats (which already feature on other Hitachi Class 80x trains) includes increasing the size of cushions, headrests and armrests. A wool-rich moquette and leather have also been used.

Meanwhile, each seat will feature power and USB points, coat hooks, “well-sized” seat-back tables, space to stow a cabin-bag under each seat, and “generous” legroom.

The 33 five-car trains, which are due to enter service in 2023, will also have air-conditioning, free WiFi throughout, and improved passenger information screens.