Thursday, 2 May 2019

Northern Metropolitan Region

In reply to Ms PATTEN (Northern Metropolitan) (5 March 2019)

Ms HORNE (Williamstown—Minister for Ports and Freight, Minister for Public Transport)

The Andrews Labor Government is working to deliver better digital connectivity across Victoria’s public transport network.

We are investing in improved mobile phone coverage on regional train lines. The Regional Rail Connectivity Project has already seen every VLocity train fitted with mobile phone signal boosters.

The Government is also buying 100 new buses over the next two years to replace and modernise the ageing state-owned bus fleet used on routes operated by Transdev. As part of this new order, Transdev will explore passenger-focused improvements including onboard wi-fi, mobile phone charging and improved passenger displays.

These measures are in addition to the existing free wi-fi coverage in the CBDs of Melbourne, Ballarat and Bendigo.

For the vast majority of passengers, existing mobile data coverage provides a good level of online connectivity. There are currently no further plans to provide wi-fi coverage on other services and transport modes.