ScotRail begins second phase WiFi rollout on Class 334 fleet
Posted: 28 October 2016 | | No comments yet
ScotRail’s rollout of WiFi across 90 percent of its services by late 2018 entered has entered its second phase of development.
ScotRail’s rollout of WiFi across 90 percent of its services by late 2018 entered has entered its second phase of development.
Credit: ScotRail
Free on-board Wifi will soon become available on services between Helensburgh and Edinburgh thanks to ScotRail’s latest rollout of the facility on its Class 334 fleet.
By autumn 2018 almost 90 percent of the operator’s trains will provide WiFi. This will include some of the most scenic routes on the ScotRail network – including the West Highland Line. On-board internet connectivity will also be supplemented by 52 WiFi hotspots at stations across Scotland.
“I am delighted to say that even more of our customers will be able to take advantage of our free WiFi service”
Speaking about the announcement, ScotRail Customer Experience Director Jacqueline Taggart said: “One of the great things about travelling by train is that it allows you to work on the go. In order to do that, it is important that you can get connected while you are on the move. Over the past few months we have been installing WiFi to many trains in our fleet – and we have been enhancing and upgrading the equipment so that it is more reliable than ever before.
“Today I am delighted to say that even more of our customers will be able to take advantage of our free WiFi service – both in stations and on our trains. The Helensburgh to Edinburgh service is one of our most popular routes, so it is just great that customers will be able to get connected on their journey.
“This rollout will continue over the coming months – with the aim to have 90 percent of all of our trains enabled by the end of next year. This is just another example of ScotRail working to make things better, every single day.”
WiFi equipment, supplied by Icomera, has already been fitted to all trains serving Scotland’s main inter-city routes. Next in line to receive the free WiFi includes services from Dalmally to Dumfries
Scotrail to begin WiFi installation on Class 318 and 320 fleets
Installation work is also shortly to get underway on Class 318 and 320 fleets, which serve Glasgow, Lanarkshire, and Inverclyde. The East Kilbride and Glasgow south-west routes will begin to see WiFi on-board from January next year.
All ScotRail’s new Class 385 and High Speed Train fleets will enter service with live WiFi connections from autumn 2017.
Reacting to the news, Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am committed to ensuring that rail travel across Scotland is an attractive option for tourists, commuters and business users. The roll out of WiFi across ScotRail’s train fleet will enhance the passenger experience by ensuring travellers throughout Scotland have the ability to get online while on the move, allowing them to be more productive, better entertained and better informed during their journey.”