Expressions of interest are being sought for a project to upgrade mobile telecommunications infrastructure between Wyong and Hornsby.
Investments of $12 million from the federal government and $4 million from the NSW government will go towards the project, which is to deliver improved mobile coverage as well as provide Wi-Fi at stations for up to an estimated 30,000 Central Coast commuters per day.
“Mobile drop outs and blackspots are incredibly frustrating for commuters along the Central Coast Line, and the Turnbull Government is delivering on its election commitment to fix the problem,” federal communications minister Mitch Fifield said.
Lucy Wicks, the federal member for Robertson, said the problem of mobile connectivity and blackspots was one of great concern to train-users on the Central Coast.
“When I’m at train stations like Gosford and Woy Woy listening to commuters early in the morning, many of them are asking about the progress of this vital commitment from the Coalition Government. Today’s announcement is good news for commuters,” Wicks said.
The government will work with mobile networks and infrastructure providers in the project to remove the coverage blackspots over the 60-kilometre stretch of rail.
“This is an important milestone in delivering better services to Central Coast commuters. This is part of a broader plan to deliver upgrades to NSW commuters, and details of train station Wi-Fi hotspot upgrades will be made available in due course,” state transport minister Andrew Constance said.
Expressions of interest for removing the mobile blackspots will close in November 2017, with a formal tender process commencing at the end of the year.
A further expression of interest will be announced by the state government for the installation of Wi-Fi at stations on the Central Coast line.