Free wifi for all on Manchester Metrolink

Transport for Greater Manchester have announced that the free wifi fitting to a few trams as a trial is to extended across the fleet of M5000s by Spring 2015. As well as the LRVs the free wifi will be fitted to the 20 buses running the city centre Metroshuttle service linking the main railway stations, car parks, shopping areas and businesses in Manchester City Centre.

Cllr Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “This is great news and will benefit the millions of people who travel on Metrolink’s trams and Metroshuttle’s buses each year. We live in a digital age and people want to make the best use of their travelling time – quick and simple access to digital technology is key to this. Greater Manchester is leading the way in the growing provision of wifi services on public transport, which in turn takes us one step close to our aim of being a top 20 digital city region by 2020.”

Wifi has been trialled on the network over the past few months and this has resulted in positive feedback from passengers. The full roll-out will now be funded by TfGM, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council and the government’s Broadband Delivery UK scheme.

Manchester Metrolink will become the first light rail system in England to be fully wifi capable so next time you are sitting on a delayed tram at least you will be able to use your internet enabled device to find out why!

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