Great Western Railway is trialling an innovative new rail seat technology on its Exeter to Exmouth and Paignton route, as part of ongoing work to explore sustainable and durable alternatives for future rolling stock.
The EcoSeat™, developed by British spring manufacturer Spinks and rail seat specialist Quantum Seating, uses pocket spring technology more commonly found in mattresses. The 100% recyclable seat system eliminates the need for polyurethane foam and achieves rail safety standards without flame retardant chemicals.
The trial follows a £250,000 research contract from the Department for Transport and Innovate UK through the ‘First of a Kind’ programme, supporting innovation in sustainable rail technology.
John Pick, Seating Project Manager at Spinks, said: “We’re pleased to see our EcoSeat™ technology being trialled in a real-world rail environment. The pocket spring system creates a comfortable, fully recyclable seat that’s designed for durability while meeting safety standards.”
David Clarke, Systems Engineer at Angel Trains Ltd, said: “Improvements to the comfort and overall journey experience, particularly over longer distances, are crucial to ensuring that our trains meet the expectations of today’s rail passengers. Angel Trains was proud to support this trial with Spinks and we look forward to hearing the feedback.”
A GWR spokesperson on the Fleet Renewal Programme, said: “We’re always interested in exploring innovative technologies that could enhance passenger experience and sustainability across our network. This trial allows us to assess new seating options in real-world conditions on our Exeter services, and we’ll be monitoring performance and gathering passenger feedback.”
