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Passengers clock up 5 million sessions on Metrolink WiFi since launch

Posted: 22 June 2016 | Katie Sadler, Digital Content Producer, Intelligent Transport | No comments yet

More than 5 million sessions have been logged on Greater Manchester’s Metrolink WiFi since its launch in March 2015.

Passengers clock up 5 million sessions on Metrolink WiFi since launch

Transport for Greater Manchester Committee Chair Councillor Andrew Fender

More than 5 million sessions have been logged on Greater Manchester’s Metrolink WiFi since its launch in March 2015.

Passengers clock up 5 million sessions on Metrolink WiFi since launch

Transport for Greater Manchester Committee Chair Councillor Andrew Fender

Over 400,000 people have signed up to use the free Metrolink WiFi which is available on its fleet of 116 trams. Up to now more than 5 million sessions have been logged and of this over half a million sessions were recorded last month alone.

Metrolink WiFi available on 116 trams

The £2.4million initiative, launched at the end of March last year, marked a major step forward in Greater Manchester’s ambition to become a world top 20 digital city.

The connection is free to use on a WiFi enabled device and has no time restrictions. All mainstream laptops, tablets, PDAs smartphones and web browsers are supported.

Free WiFi is also available on 20 buses running the free city centre Metroshuttle service, as well as hundreds of public buildings in Manchester and Salford.

“We’re helping people make best use of their travelling time”

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “It’s no surprise the free WiFi initiative has been so popular. We’re helping people make best use of their travelling time – whether it’s doing some work on their commute or messaging a friend.

“It’s also good for visitors to the region, who can plan their travel and find out what’s going on without racking up huge mobile bills.

“We now have over 34 million passenger journeys made on Metrolink a year, which means an awful lot of customers taking advantage of this great initiative.

“The free WiFi initiative has proved excellent value for money, keeping existing passengers happy and, I’m sure, helping to attract new customers.”

“More than ever, train and tram carriages are being used as mobile offices, places to shop and living rooms”

Metrolink Director Peter Cushing added: “More than ever, train and tram carriages are being used as mobile offices, places to shop and living rooms on the move as people take advantage of increased connectivity.

“In this day and age quick and easy access to WiFi is essential for businesspeople and individuals to be able to do work, surf the web, and keep in contact while they are on our trams.

“I’m pleased we’ve had such a great reaction from our customers to the free WiFi initiative and I look forward to seeing more and more people register as Metrolink use increases.”