Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Action for Public Transport (NSW) is an organisation which campaigns for transit improvements in New South Wales. We were pleased to see your announcement on 9 July of the tendering process for 65 interurban trains ("Transforming regional train travel: Shortlist announced for new intercity fleet" - http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/transforming-regional-train-travel-shortlist-announced-new-intercity-fleet). While wi-fi will be an advantage to passengers, we write to express our hope that specifications to manufacturers will preserve some other important features of existing trains:

• Seating across: should be 2 + 2, not 2 + 3 as on suburban or some Victorian trains. The increase in capacity by having five across may be tempting, but the discomfort to long distance peak hour commuters could make the new trains unpopular.
• Reversible seats: these should be fitted despite possible slight disadvantage in space or weight. It has long been an advantage of NSW trains that as many people as possible can sit facing forward and not have to face strangers. This is why the most recent suburban trains have returned to reversible seats after the Tangara experiment.
• Windows: apart from conditions for regular commuters, interurban trains are vital for allowing both tourists and locals to discover the beauty of the regions around Sydney by public transport. We trust you would not even begin to think of spoiling views from trains by applying advertising.