3 + 2 Seating

[kendall17]

What are your thoughts on 3+2 seating? Personally im not a fan especially of the bench seats on 3+2 layout. Can you actually squeeze 3 blokes on the 3 side, or 2 on what seems to be smaller 2 side?

[northerner]

I'm not a fan either. On the 333's many people stand rather than sit in the middle seat, so it would make sense to refit them to 2+2 seating, creating a wider gangway for standing passengers.

[www.buseireann.ie]

i'd rather keep them as they are because the fact that nobody sits in the middle means I can use the middle as a table when scoffing my face!

[Steve Macz403]

2+2 seating is the only effective way for a train carriage, take Transpennine's class 185 , the 2 +2 seating is added by a wide gangway and area around the doors to accomodate standing passengers,as well as creating a better environment for passengers.

[kendall17]

yeah i like 185s, and if you're stood up n lose balance its easier to rectify it before your sat on someones knee. I want to see what they're like on a peak time run and see if all 5 seats are used.

[northerner]

On peak time services, all seats on 185's are taken on services heading towards Huddersfield/Manchester . One thing about the 185's tho is near the first class area, there is a standing area

[kendall17]

I think the 185s seating & standing arrangements. Probably the best commuter train layout!

[Burnside]

Was on a packed 333 this morn.

all seats were taken including the 3 seaters and it was very claustrophobic. I agree with an earlier poster that 2+2 would be better with a wider gangway.

[Craig]

... but then you have less seats, and more disgruntled passengers left behind on the platform...

From experience I can tell you that removing any seats from the 333 will not go down well on rush hour trains!

[matt west]

185's are the very best

[Craig]

I've only used them once, but I'm still really not convinced that the 185 layout suits an intercity route. That layout seems more appropriate for relatively short distance commuter routes such as the 321 and 333 units. I appreciate it achieves faster loading/unloading times which isn't to be sniffed at, but it cuts down on the "quality" long distance feel, and also the First pastel colours might work on a bus but again I think it undermines the quality factor of this kind of route.

[kendall17]

I have to disagree with you Craig. Seriously though you have plenty of standing room at each door way, down the aisle and at the ends of each Engine Car. The fact that the seats are comfy well laid out with the drop down tables and enough legroom for a bloke like myself to fit in will never go amiss in most peoples books. Although less seating = less passenger comfort i would rather stand than be sat on someones knee or struggling to fit shoulder to shoulder with 2 blokes when i'm sat in a middle seat. Whats wrong with the colours? The outside livery suggests that it is going to travel at speed which it does and improves FirstGroups image a good look aswell as promoting the company. Theres nothing wrong with the interior colours or fabrics, they're alot more comfartable than most!