(29 Nov 2017, 7:09 pm)Michael wrote I'm surprised, i thought they would of wanted all the seats they could get on them.
The current Hybrid allocation allows 66 seated + 28 standing.
Even with the tables, StreetDecks allow 68 seated + 31 standing. The tables utilise existing leg-room and the seats are just rotated so that they face each other, so you only lose one row of seats either side (so 4 seats in total).
The downstairs seating configuration on the Hybrids is a bit strange too which results in a few less seats downstairs. The StreetDecks will have a standard seating layout, meaning that there will be 4 extra seats downstairs for passengers who are less able and can't get upstairs easily. Obviously compensated by two less seats upstairs compared to the Hybrids.
Either way it's a marginal upgrade in terms of capacity (16 extra seats per hour, Newcastle - Chester-le-Street).