Nov. 13--Attention, Metra riders: Would you like armrests, cup holders and higher seatbacks? Are you willing to ride backward in exchange for these perks?
The commuter rail agency is asking customers for their opinion as they test proposed new seats for Metra's coaches. The seating would replace the traditional benches with their "flippable" seatbacks.
The new seats would be installed facing the vestibule of each car, so only half the riders on any given train would be facing the direction of travel.
Some riders, Metra admits, may not like riding backward.
"If we were to introduce that, it would definitely be a change for our riders," Metra spokeswoman Meg Reile said. "The idea was to take these seats out to the stations and get some customer feedback."
The proposed seats have the familiar vinyl covering, but are blue and gray with red accents. The higher seatbacks would provide neck and head support.
Metra doesn't plan to make a wholesale switch to the new seats. They would be phased in as existing coaches are rehabbed or new cars are purchased, Reile said.
The new seats would cost about the same as the old ones, but long-term maintenance would likely be lower, Metra says.
The same type of seat is being installed on the Virginia Railway Express commuter coaches being built at the Nippon Sharyo rail car manufacturer in Rochelle.
Metra customers can try out the seats all day Wednesday and Thursday at Union Station. They are located in the Metra ticket area.
The seats are scheduled to be displayed at the Ogilvie Transportation Center from Friday through Monday; LaSalle Street station on Nov. 18 and 19; Millennium station on Nov. 20 and 21; and Van Buren Street station on Nov. 24 and 25.
rwronski@tribune.com
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