ACTION’S Chief Operating Officer Bren Burkevics says over 50 of ACTION’s older bus fleet have received a full passenger seat refurbishment.

“Since the commencement of the refurbishment program in 2012-13, a total of 54 buses have received a complete passenger seat refurbishment which represents an investment of $570,000 by the ACT Government,” Bren said.

“The refurbishment program includes seat base repairs, new foam padding to make the seat more comfortable and the reupholstering of the seat with new fabric that is modern, durable, fire retardant and helps provide an overall cleaner interior.

“A different coloured fabric is also being used to identify priority seating. This comes after a successful trial was conducted on four buses last year with different fabric used for seats within priority spaces. The trial found that making priority seating more distinctive helped to encourage passengers to give up their seat to the aged, people with a disability or pregnant women.

“The passenger seats on all 20 Irisbus Agoraline buses have been refurbished and the program is continuing on older model vehicles including Scanias, Renaults and Dennis Darts which have between 10 and 20 years of service.

“The investment by the ACT Government recognises the fact that ACTION’s bus fleet carries over 70,000 passengers per weekday and travels over 24 million kilometres per year which places a high demand on all components of the bus and in particular the passenger seats.

“The refurbishment program will continue in 2014-15 with a further $250,000 allocated to passenger seat upgrades which equates to about 25 buses.