"I just moved here like a year ago and pretty much everyone I asked told me to not sit, so I don't sit. Plastic works just because it's easier to clean. Other transit systems, most recently in Seattle, have shifted away from fabric seats, citing complaints about cleanliness."
"They are certainly easier to maintain and keep clean. About 100 buses in the TTC's fleet are already outfitted with plastic seats, with more to come as new buses arrive. You can spot them on the TTC's electric buses."
"The advantages of the fabric seats are that they offer more comfort, warmth and friction [preventing sliding]. The fabric was chosen because it is extremely durable and easy to clean."
"The fabric is actually a wool material called a moquette. Sure, it's prone to mystery stains. But in cities like London, it's become an iconic symbol. You can buy its eye-popping patterns on shirts, doormats, pillows, armchairs, even a three-seat sofa."
Toronto transit systems are debating seat materials as they modernize their fleets. The TTC is shifting toward plastic seats on new buses, citing easier maintenance and cleanliness, with only about 100 of 2,000 current buses having plastic seats. Passengers like Rujuta Kumthekar avoid fabric seats due to visible stains and prefer plastic for hygiene reasons. Other cities, including Seattle, have made similar transitions. Conversely, Metrolinx selected fabric seats for new Eglinton and Finch light rail vehicles, emphasizing comfort, warmth, and friction benefits. The fabric used is moquette, a durable wool material that becomes iconic in cities like London, where distinctive patterns are celebrated culturally. Toronto's current fabric seats lack memorable design compared to international transit systems.
#transit-seat-materials #ttc-modernization #cleanliness-and-hygiene #public-transportation-design #fabric-vs-plastic-seating
Read at www.cbc.ca
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