Free on train Wi-Fi to be extended across all Chiltern Railways routes
- Free Wi-Fi will be introduced across Chiltern Railways commuter routes including services between London Marylebone and Aylesbury, High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.
- An additional 1,400 services per week will have free Wi-Fi.
- The entire Chiltern Railways fleet will be Wi-Fi enabled, connecting customers as they travel.
From mid-February, Chiltern Railways customers will have access to free on train Wi-Fi on every train.
The Department for Transport has provided support which is enabling Chiltern to extend on-board Wi-Fi coverage to every Chiltern train.
Chiltern Railways were one of the first train operators in the UK to introduce free Wi-Fi in 2011. Since that time the company, which is part of European transport provider, Arriva, has continued to improve its Wi-Fi proposition and is currently working on a project with mobile network operator EE to eliminate black spots across the Chiltern network. The aim is to provide a continuously connected experience, supported by EE adding extra network capacity and coverage through a wireless trackside network. It will transform how customers can use the service on-board, particularly for those travelling on business, with high speed connectivity and calls possible even in tunnels.
Chiltern has already launched an integrated station and train Wi-Fi proposition, enabling customers get online while they wait for their train and be seamlessly connected as they join their train.
Dave Penney, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways said:
“Free Wi-Fi will soon be available on every Chiltern Railways train providing even more opportunity for passengers to get things done, whether this be finishing a presentation and checking email during the working day or ordering groceries on the home commute to claim back family time. The service has been available on our long distance trains since 2011, but this investment allows us to fulfil our aim to cover all services by extending free Wi-Fi to an additional 1400 services per week.”
Rail Minister Paul Maynard said:
“We are investing nearly £50m to roll out free, fast and reliable Wi-Fi on trains and I am delighted that passengers of Chiltern are set to be among those to benefit. We are working hard to ensure that passengers can work, get information or simply stay in touch with friends and family while they travel. We already require new franchisees to offer free Wi-Fi as standard and are determined that 90% of all trains will have access to Wi-Fi by the end of 2018.”
ENDS
For further media information please contact the Chiltern Railways press office on 020 7333 3014 or [email protected].
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