PASSENGERS across Wales can now benefit from free wifi on all Arriva Trains Wales services, including trains in and out of Aberystwyth and on the Cambrian Coast Line, thanks to Welsh Government funding.
The £1.5m Welsh Government investment means the whole ATW fleet including Pacer trains, Class 153s and the carriages used on the north-south Express have now been retrofitted to provide free-to-use wifi for all passengers.
There will be information leaflets available at stations and Arriva will also run an awareness campaign for passengers, handing out free ‘I Love Free Wi-Fi’ chocolate treats at busy interchanges.
Economy and transport secretary Ken Skates said: “This rollout should be a real boon to commuters and business users alike. I expect it to make a real contribution to our ambitions for a growing economy with strong businesses in productive regions set out our Prosperity for All Economic Action Plan.
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“Importantly, our investment means that Pacer trains, Class 153s, and the carriages used on our north-south Express all now have free-to-use wifi for all passengers. These trains amount to almost one-third of the fleet.
“Passengers across the Valley Lines and west Wales - including the Heart of Wales line - will now benefit from this vital connectivity. This is another example of our strong record of investment in the current rail franchise where we continue to fund additional services and capacity across Wales.”
Tom Joyner, managing director for Arriva Trains Wales, said: “The fact all our customers will be able to use our free wifi on every single one of our trains is brilliant news and we are delighted to mark the completion of the project.
“We know how important connectivity is and being able to be productive during your journey, check your onward travel plans or simply catch up on social media will make a real difference to our customers.
“Customers have frequently been asking for wifi on-board our trains and this has been a really significant project which has taken careful planning and hundreds of staff hours to deliver successfully without impacting on services.”