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Metro Transit tests new light-rail seats

The transit company is considering two new options for the seats on its light-rail trains.
Credit: Melissa Colorado, KARE
Light rail train near the 46th Street station in Minneapolis.

MINNEAPOLIS — Metro Transit is in the process of switching over light-rail train seats from cloth to plastic, according to a post on its Twitter account. 

All of the cloth seats on six Green Line vehicles were switched to plastic in recent months. Thousands of other cloth seats were changed to plastic in the past few years, the company said.

Other lines, including the Blue Line, are testing new seat options as well. 

This change is in response to public suggestion and ongoing maintenance issues. 

Metro Transit Customer Relations Manager Pam Steffen said customers frequently suggest plastic seats, according to the company blog.

RELATED: Metro Transit looks to add shields to protect bus drivers

Another option that the company is considering is a new fabric with a coating that protects the seat from liquids. The fabric is expected to be "more durable" and to "do a better job" of keeping the foam underneath the fabric dry.

Metro Transit said one major issue with the original cloth seats was sanitation. To sanitize the cloth, cleaners have to remove the cloth, steam it and wait a day for them to dry. Only then can the cloth be reinstalled. 

The company is hoping that new options will make it easier to clean the seats and will still satisfy customer preference. 

Light-rail riders are encouraged to give the company feedback about the new seat options. 

“The hope is to generate customer feedback and to test the plastic seats for durability and ease of maintenance to help us make an informed decision on whether to potentially pursue a cloth-free option,” said Ryan McTeague, director of light rail vehicle maintenance on the company blog.

To give Metro Transit your feedback, visit the website by clicking here or calling 612-373-3333.

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