Scottish MP calls for free Wi-Fi on public transport
An MP for the Scottish Labour party thinks enticing people onto buses with Wi-fi will make Scotland a greener place.
![wireless antenna](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KGeMMbqrSFD2vkGNyfaXrH-320-80.jpg)
A Scottish MP has called for free wireless internet to be made available on Scotland's public transport.
John Parks, the Scottish Labour Party's economy and skills spokesman, believes that getting Wi-Fi onto all buses and trains will entice people to use public transport more and lead to a greener country.
"If we are going to meet our commitments on climate change we need to get people out of their cars and into public transport," said Parks in a statement. "The best way to do this is to make trains and buses more attractive."
The party researched where Wi-Fi was already available and found National Express Trains and some Stagecoach and Citylink bus services providing it. However, Scotrail didn't have Wi-Fi on any of their trains.
Parks said it could be part of a "Green New Deal" for Scotland.
"This is a sensible measure that would be good for the economy and good for the environment," he said. "In particular, I want to see those operators who benefit from public subsidy encouraged to raise their game."
The Scottish Government released a statement saying much was already being done on public transport.
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A spokesperson said: "Although the provision of wireless internet access on buses in Scotland is solely a matter for individual bus operators, the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland is already developing a business case for wireless provision on ScotRail services as part of the franchise agreement, which will report in due course."
Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.
Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.
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