8 December 2015
The Melbourne Labor Government’s announcement to cancel planned free Wi-Fi on V/line trains is another low blow to regional and rural commuters according to Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
“Daniel Andrews has not only cut the Country Roads and Bridges Program but now he’s betraying regional Victoria again by pulling funding for Wi-Fi on V/Line trains “ Mr Walsh said.
In April 2014 the former Liberal National Coalition announced a $40 million package to fix mobile blackspots and deliver free Wi-Fi on a number of V/line services including regional services.
Mr Walsh said 20 000 passengers a year caught V/Line Echuca line trains.
“A large number of those passengers are professionals or students who need to travel to Bendigo or Melbourne for work and study.
“Free access to high speed internet would make an enormous difference to their long days of travel and free up important family time at home “ Mr Walsh said.
“The money was there to upgrade the technology it just needed the will of the government.
“Once again regional commuters are paying the price for Daniel Andrews’ decision to waste $850m NOT to build the East West Link “ Mr Walsh said.
