Leeds Bradford Rail Wi-Fi installation begins for Northern

Leeds and Bradford commuters travelling on Northern Rail’s electric trains, will soon benefit from free Wi-Fi when travelling on Airedale and Wharfedale routes, as installation of the equipment begins next week, with connectivity for customers by the end of 2014.

The project is a joint initiative between Northern Rail, Leeds City Council, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and is thanks to an investment of £750,000 from BDUK (Broadband UK, an arm of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport).

This is the first Wi-Fi installation of its kind for Northern and free Wi-Fi will be available on Northern’s electric trains, which operate between Leeds and Skipton, Ilkley and Bradford Forster Square.

Rob Warnes, Planning and Programmes Director for Northern, comments: “We are really excited to be offering free Wi-Fi to our customers travelling on our electric trains in Yorkshire. Installation starts next week and we will launch the free digital connectivity at the end of this year.”

Phil Cole, Project Director Leeds Bradford SuperConnected Cities programme, said: “High quality internet access is becoming an increasingly important aspect of everyday life. As well as offering people the opportunity to access free  Wi-Fi in places like Millennium Square and Briggate in Leeds and City Park in Bradford, the Superconnected Cities programme is providing free Wi-Fi in libraries in both cities and working with public transport providers. This project is an important first step in providing free Wi-Fi for passengers travelling between the two cities.”