'Offer free internet on buses and trains'

Published on Saturday 5 September 2009 19:54

PASSENGERS should have free wireless internet access on all trains and buses in Scotland, Labour said yesterday.

The party said making the internet available on public transport would make it "more attractive" to commuters and tempt them to leave their cars at home in favour of more environmentally friendly alternatives.

John Park, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Labour's economy and skills spokesman, said the move should be one of a range of measures brought forward as part of a "Green New Deal" for Scotland".

"I am calling for free wireless internet access to be made available on all trains and buses," he said.

"If we are going to meet our commitments on climate change, we need to get people out of their cars and into public transport.

"The best way to do this is to make trains and buses more attractive.

"This is a sensible measure that would be good for the economy and good for the environment. In particular, I want to see those operators who benefit from public subsidy encouraged to raise their game."

Bill Ure, committee member of Passengers' View Scotland, a passenger pressure group, said: "We would be very supportive of this move. It would make your time on a bus or train journey more productive."

Ure added: "Not all passengers would want to use it so it would not be advisable to attempt to raise fares to cover costs."

National Express, which carries 19 million people a year, already has free wi-fi internet access on selected services.

Last month, the Scottish transport giant, Aberdeen-based FirstGroup, announced it hoped to roll out an iconic Greyhound coach service, complete with free wireless internet access, power sockets and free newspapers.