Anger at charge for wi-fi on East Coast Main Line trains
Oct 9 2010 by Sarah Scott, The Journal
FREE wi-fi has been withdrawn for standard-class passengers on East Coast Main Line trains.
The train operator has begun charging on its flagship trains, with customers allowed only 15 minutes’ free access to an improved wireless internet system.
After that, they will face a charge of £4.95 for 60 minutes or £9.95 for 24 hours, although first-class passengers can continue accessing the service free of charge.
East Coast, which took over control of the route in November last year, has said the charges have been imposed because it is delivering a better service after investing £600,000 to improve download speeds and a more reliable internet connection.
But industry watchdogs criticised the company last night, accusing it of “abandoning” previous operator National Express’s commitment to free wi-fi. Guy Dangerfield, rail watchdog Passenger Focus manager, said: “It’s disappointing that East Coast is abandoning National Express’s commitment to make wi-fi on the east coast route free throughout the journey and for all passengers.
“If passengers are going to be paying for it in future, East Coast will have to work hard to ensure the wi-fi system is more reliable than it’s historically been.”
A spokesperson for the train operator said: “East Coast has responded to customer needs and invested £600,000 in its wi-fi service which will deliver better upload and download speeds and ensure a more reliable internet connection.
“The service is free to first-class passengers while the charge being introduced for Standard Class is in line with other wi-fi providers although the first 15 minutes is free.”
Wi-fi was first introduced onto the route’s trains in 2006, when it was operated as GNER, and continued when National Express took over the route in 2007.
A charge initially applied but it was later made free.
The number of wi-fi users has risen four-fold in the past four years, and East Coast said it hopes internet connection is now maintained at all times, even when the train passes through a tunnel.
