American Seating unveiled an industry first at the APTA Bus & Paratransit Conference this week: USB ports debuting on the company’s Vision® seats. Vision serves the city service (public transit) market. While power outlets have been on motorcoach bus vehicles for several years now, public transit has been waiting for this technology – until now.

The 4.2-amp total output, dual-outlet, USB-device charger is featured on the Vision seat. The easily accessible charger features a LED power-on indicator and an optional protective cover. People riding on buses with such seats can use the buses as “mobile charging stations” for their phones, tablets and hybrid laptop computers.

“Public transportation vehicles are another place where people work on their computers, or read the news or watch video on their smart phones and other devices. We continually are researching what designs and products will serve the commuting workforce and the general population. Integrating USB device chargers into our seating solutions meets the needs of today’s tech-savvy riders,” said Doug Oswald, director of marketing - transportation at American Seating.

The Vision seats on display at the APTA conference will include American Seating’s VR-50® cushion, plush-padded cushion with back extension and non-upholstered options.

American Seating also will showcase its InSight® and Q’POD® product lines at the APTA conference.

The full InSight product offering will be on display with the VR-50® cushion, plush-padded cushion with back extension and non-upholstered (INSIGHT-PRIME™ and INSIGHT-PRIME+™) versions.

Q’POD will feature American Seating’s thinnest (closed envelope) InSight flip-up seat, which creates an extra three inches of space per side in the ADA area of a transit vehicle.