Wi-fi internet to be available on major Scottish train routes

TRAIN passengers will be able to access wi-fi on major Scottish routes as part of the next ScotRail franchise from 2014, ministers have announced.

The move came as a three-month free trial on trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow this summer was confirmed, starting in June.

Four ScotRail trains on the main route between the cities will be equipped with two systems to test their effectiveness.

There are currently several blackspots, including tunnels, on the line via Falkirk which affect mobile coverage.

Transport minister Keith Brown said: “The Rail 2014 [franchise] consultation set out our stall with a vow to bring full wi-fi connection to train journeys and this pilot gets that underway.”

He said it was intended that the next franchise will require passenger access to the internet, emails, media and voice communications between Edinburgh, Glasgow and from the central belt to Aberdeen and Inverness.