Regional Western Australian public transport operator Transwa is trialling free wi-fi on its flagship train, the Prospector.
The trial will begin on September 1, with passengers having free access to 1GB of data.
The train runs 18 trips a week between Perth and Kalgoorlie – one each way each day, and two on Mondays and Fridays.
The 12-month trial will make more onboard entertainment options available to Prospector travellers, complementing the train’s existing personalised on-demand entertainment systems.
Part of the trial will include assessing the degree of connectivity and effectiveness, given a substantial part of each trip runs through outback and remote areas. A survey will be sent to passengers each month to gain feedback.
The Transwa train network currently operates on a 5G-capable system, but this is dependent on coverage.
A wi-fi upgrade for the AvonLink-MerredinLink is also close to completion and should be commissioned by the start of the Prospector trial. The AvonLink runs every weekday morning from Northam, through Toodyay and the Avon Valley to Midland, returning in the afternoon; the MerredinLink runs a return service from East Perth to Merredin on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Transwa spokesman David Hynes said the Prospector service was launched in 1971.
“Few people of the day would have imagined that in just 50 years, passengers aboard the train would be able to spend the trip working, chatting or playing on wireless devices small enough to fit into their pockets or bags,” he said.
“Adding free wi-fi to the Prospector will go hand-in-hand with the personalised on-demand entertainment systems already on board, giving passengers more choice and more flexibility in how they choose to enjoy this wonderful journey across our beautiful state.”
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