First Great Western (FGW) is increasing standard class capacity on all of its high speed trains by converting some of its first class carriages.
The rail operator will create almost 3,000 more standard class seats a day for customers across the network and deliver nearly 16 per cent more standard class accommodation.
This is on top of an increase in peak-time seats delivered by the company in the summer of 2012, through the rebuilding and upgrading of disused buffet cars to create additional seats.
FGW’s managing director Mark Hopwood, said: "We know that, ultimately, the only long-term solution to busy services is more trains.
“New Intercity Express trains are on their way, however, it is still some time before they will be ready for service. The conversion of these carriages to create more standard class seating is crucial in the interim period."
Firstgreatwestern.com