Ten times faster wi-fi in £90m upgrade for commuter trains
COMMUTERS can look forward to wi-fi speeds 10 times faster than they currently receive on trains as part of Department for Transport £90m plans, paid partly from a fine on Network Rail.
Some of the first routes likely to benefit from the faster wi-fi service will include passengers travelling into London from Bedford, Brighton, Kent and Portsmouth, as well as services into Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield.
Access to the upgraded wi-fi service is expected to be free once work to fit the required equipment to trains is completed, expected to be by around 2017 to 2018.
A significant proportion of the money for the scheme will be provided by a fine due to be imposed on Network Rail by the Office of Rail Regulation for missing punctuality targets.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “We all know how frustrating it can be to have our phone calls and internet use constantly disrupted by poor signal while travelling on trains. At the moment, it happens too often. Passengers expect and deserve better and with these plans, that is what they’ll get.”