Businesses have turned away from air travel to a major
UK rail route after the train operator introduced free wireless
internet access, says National Express East Coast
railway.
Three times as many customers are now
using Wi-Fi when travelling on National Express East Coast
railway since the company introduced a free service.
The company made Wi-Fi free to all customers when it took over
from GNER to run the route, from London to Edinburgh, Newcastle,
and Yorkshire in December 2007. It was previously only
complimentary in First Class, and cost £4.95 an hour in
standard.
The number of people now using the service has increased from
30,000 a month to more than 100,000 in January. The company said
business customers that would normally travel by air are now using
the trains.
"Anecdotally, major employers along the East Coast route tell us
that the addition of Wi-Fi is another reason for them to switch
from air to rail, as it is much easier for their employees to stay
in touch and keep working while on the move," said Alan Hyde, head
of communications at National Express East Coast.