One of the new ministers at the Department for Transport reveals that he has set his civil service colleagues the task of examining ways to improve internet connections on trains
Civil servants at the Department for Transport have been asked to examine possible means of boosting wireless and mobile connectivity on the UK’s rail network.
It was reported last year that the department was considering whether, in a world where most passengers have access to the internet on their smartphone, WiFi connections on trains could be axed as a cost-cutting measure.
Since then, a new government has been elected and the ministers now in charge of the DfT were recently asked, in a written parliamentary question from Labour MP James Naish, whether the administration has “plans to improve WiFi connectivity on the rail network” – rather than eliminating these connections.
In response, local transport minister Simon Lightwood did not specifically address WiFi, but said that he has tasked his civil service colleagues with look at various possibilities for enabling better connections for passengers. The DfT is also working to better understand current signal levels across the UK’s rail infrastructure – which can be notoriously patchy.
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“I have asked my officials to explore the feasibility of a range of technology options to improve passenger connectivity on the rail network,” Lightwood said. “The department is also measuring the strength of mobile signals along the rail network to fully understand where interventions are needed.”
In April, about a month before the general election was called, Labour published a ‘Plan to Fix Britain’s Railways’ – including a pledge to ensure “better mobile connectivity, including moving towards 5G”.
The plan also committed to proceed with the creation a new agency – Great British Railways – to oversee rail in this country. The arm’s-length body has now been established in ‘shadow’ form, and Laura Shoaf, the chief executive of the West Midlands Combined Authority, has been named as chair.
Announcing the formal establishment of the new government entity, transport secretary Louise Haigh said: “I will expect Shadow Great British Railways to be passenger-focused and unlock barriers to delivery. I will also expect it to work alongside my team and I with rail stakeholders and partners across Great Britain, including national and regional governments, mayors, the trade unions, train operators, passenger and freight representative groups, the supply chain, the regulator and railway staff to deliver improvements. As part of the plans for reform, this includes the need to speed up training for drivers and collaborate with the sector to build resilience and improve productivity.”