Skip to main content

Queensland providing free Wi-Fi on city trains

In an Australian first, free wireless internet technology will be rolled out on all new Queensland Rail city trains from later this year. The announcement follows a successful Wi-Fi trial and the Queensland government will now spend AU$6.5 million (US$6.98 million) installing the technology in new trains. "The trial has been a huge success, the technology has been installed and is now fully operational on the test-train with customers able to sit, back and take advantage of the free internet on their journe
March 23, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
In an Australian first, free wireless internet technology will be rolled out on all new 4227 Queensland Rail city trains from later this year. The announcement follows a successful Wi-Fi trial and the Queensland government will now spend AU$6.5 million (US$6.98 million) installing the technology in new trains.

"The trial has been a huge success, the technology has been installed and is now fully operational on the test-train with customers able to sit, back and take advantage of the free internet on their journey to and from work" said transport minister Annastacia Palaszczuk. "Installation on the first of 64 new trains will begin in October and we're expecting to have Wi-Fi installed across the entire 160 and 260 series fleet by the end of next year.

According to Queensland Rail CEO Paul Scurrah, "This project isn't only about free internet for our customers, but it also increases our security capacity by allowing live streaming from our CCTV cameras on board the Wi-Fi trains.

The Wi-Fi trial started late last year on one train which travelled across the City network. The trial included tests of 3G coverage capability of internet and CCTV live streaming. There was an average of 228 weekly users on the test train, with more than 5,000 in total during the trial.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Vaisala: Weather data is vital for connected vehicles
    August 26, 2016
    Vaisala’s Dr Kevin Petty explains why the weather will continue to play a big part in road safety and traffic management in the smart cities of the future. The world is becoming increasingly connected. Thanks to advances in information and communications technology, the cities we live in are becoming ‘smart’, with everything from education to law enforcement managed by integrated tech solutions in a bid to improve quality of life.
  • Reporting on the direction of the US's ITS research effort
    January 19, 2012
    The US ITS Joint Program Office has been working with industry stakeholders to help define the form of future research projects. Here, the Office's James Pol discusses progress and future goals
  • Why New York MTA needs $12bn – now!
    September 23, 2020
    Memo to US government: Public transit has been put under severe strain by Covid-19 – and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is sounding the alarm
  • South America invests in transportation
    February 11, 2014
    The governments of Brazil and Chile have announced major investments in urban transport. In Brazil, the federal government, in partnership with state and municipal governments is to invest US$59.54 in urban mobility. The total investment will cover 3,500 kilometres of transport, including metros, trains, and bus lanes, together with rail transport for the construction of metros in nine cities, marked as a priority due to their high capacity, speed and security. Further investment is to be made in work o