Scotland’s rail commuters now get free WiFi

Mobile devices and WiFi help keep commuters constantly on the loop. Most people find WiFi access in public places extremely useful because it lets them make use of the time to do something productive instead of just sitting idly by.

After a successful trial, the London Underground has announced that they are rolling out WiFi to 120 of its stations in the UK. Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, said: “The roll out of Wi-Fi technology across the platforms and public areas of our Tube stations will finally allow Londoners to use mobile devices to pick up their emails, access social media sites and stay in touch with the world above while they traverse our subterranean transport network. We are inviting companies to bid to do this before next June.”

Following their lead is Scotland’s busiest railway, First ScotRail. Almost five years after conducting the first studies into rolling out WiFi in the railway, the Scottish government has finally agreed to launch a pilot scheme that will provide four trains from First ScotRail’s flagship Class 170 fleet fitted with special digital equipment.

First ScotRail’s managing director Steve Montgomery said: “This is a welcome first step to explore methods to improve connectivity on trains.”

A grant amounting to £250,000 will provide passengers with free access during their commute on the Edinburgh-Glasgow line, via Falkirk High, from the summer. The government ministers have said that they plan to roll it out on services all across the country if the scheme is a success.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: “We have an absolute commitment to bringing better connectivity to every corner of Scotland and this initiative speaks to that ambition.

“A major challenge for the transport industry is embracing new technologies to meet the demands of passengers and help them get on with their ever more busy lives while travelling. We are committed to forward-looking schemes which put this country at the forefront of new technologies.”