USA: The Regional Transportation District, RTD, an agency operating public transit services, has started to change the upholstery material on tram seats.
Since the trams returned into operation in Denver in 1994, their seats were covered with a wool fabric, which was supposed to be attractive for passengers and lasted at least five years. It is now being phased out in favour of vinyl. RTD plans to refurbish one car from its fleet each week. It will take more than three years to refurbish about 200 Siemens SD-100 and SD-160 cars.
Woollen covers used on RTD trams since the early 1990s. Source: wikipedia
According to RTD, fabric wears out, stains and fades quicker than vinyl as well as retains odours. Vinyl seats are easier to clean, and more resistant to dirt and mechanical damage. Cleaning 48 fabric seats on a tram takes one employee an eight-hour shift each day. Vinyl can be wiped clean quickly, thus lowering maintenance costs.
