Perth buses to trail free WiFi in the city and suburbs as Transperth moves with the times
Bus users in Perth can look forward to free WiFi and the service will be trialled as soon as a suitable internet provider is selected in September.
The trial will provide free internet on dozens of train and bus services, once the Public Transport Authority completes a formal consultation process for the provision of internet services on-board and at major stations.
WA transport minister Dean Nalder says the trial involves services travelling through a wide-range of suburbs, as well as train stations and bus ports in central Perth.
“Governments need to respond to the community’s preference for greater flexibility, quick access to information and easier transactions,” he says.
“This is part of our strategy to deliver provide a better customer service for passengers.”
Transperth research indicates 38 per cent of bus passengers are aged between 18 and 25 and rely heavily on internet services.
Nalder says a number of companies have approached the WA Government, including some who offered to provide services for free, in exchange for advertising revenue.
“I am confident we already have the best public transport system in the country, but it is important we stay ahead of the curve and look at ways we can improve,” Nalder says.
“We’ve decided to go to the market to find out if it’s reasonable to improve the customer experience in this way.”
As WiFi hotspots become more common; the public expectation that they are provided has also increased and Australia’s major metropolitan public transport providers are now starting to respond accordingly.
The Transperth fleet includes 1,430 buses and the tender for supply of on-board WiFi closes on September 1 this year.