The state government has cancelled the plan for free Wi-Fi on V/Line trains in favour of boosting the mobile phone signal along the Ballarat and other lines.
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The free Wi-Fi was a legacy from the previous government but received funding in the 2014-15 Budget and work has continued under the new Labor government.
Minister for Innovation Philip Dalidakis said in August they were considering their options on Wi-Fi after an industry consultation process, but a spokeswoman said on Sunday they would not continue with the plan.
“The Andrews Government has looked closely at the costs of providing a free Wi-Fi service and its benefits and after industry consultation concluded that improved mobile coverage would be a better solution to the connectivity problem along the rail corridors,” she said.
“This project will deliver the full range of mobile device services at the quality expected by passengers – and Wi-Fi would not.”
The mobile blackspot plan, which will be announced on Monday, will see phone towers built along the Ballarat line from mid-2015.
Mr Dalidakis said in a statement the $18 million project would be a boon for commuters.
“The Andrews Labor government is committed to fixing mobile blackspots through the state and particularly along our major regional train lines,” he said.
“With more than 3.3 million passenger trips per year made between Melbourne and Ballarat, improved mobile coverage will mean regional commuters can use their mobile and smart devices.”
Public Transport Users Association regional spokesman Paul Westcott said it was a positive move but warned of a previous attempt that went nowhere.
“We have the history of the previous government making a similar sort of announcement two or three years ago, and nothing happened,” he said.
“Clearly it does require the telcos to actually come to the party and do the work.”
He said the WiFi program had proved difficult but raised European trains as proof it could work.
Committee for Ballarat CEO John Kilgour said the coverage plan would be positive for commuters.
“This announcement is certainly welcome,” he said.
“The Committee for Ballarat commissioned some research in 2012 that found 76 per cent of people driving would use the train if there was better coverage.”
Mr Kilgour said free WiFi would have been an added incentive for people to start using the train, but recognised it was difficult technically.
alex.hamer@fairfaxmedia.com.au
