To think free wifi on trains is not a low priority for passengers?

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65673622

Being reported that the government thinks free wifi is a low priority for passengers so could be cut to save money. Maybe I am out of step, but I really appreciate it, especially on long journeys. I don't watch TV or films, just browse the net on and off and use Whatsapp. Is it really impossible to have a properly staffed train service running more or less to time and also offering free wifi?

I don't know anyone who doesn't have unlimited data. Isn't that the standard now?
Not in UK so I don't know, but I pay 8e a month for unlimited data and national calls. Who needs free wifi?

Signal is though- I am not worried about my data in thw slightest but there is often no signal.

In fact, the only time I use WiFi when out and about us where signal is shit.

It's useful to have but until trains are cheaper, more reliable, better disability access, working toilets on all trains etc I wouldn't say it's the biggest priority.

Train wifi never works whenever I’ve tried it.

Just use your data, same as anywhere else. Signal
is fine too.

I travel Avanti, Milton Keynes to Euston frequently and I don't think I have ever been able to get good enough wifi to do any work on my laptop. It barely works enough to keep Mumsnet going.

I also loathe the whole having to sign in thing, why can't you just connect to free WiFi without giving away all my details.

Zero signal on almost all of a recent trip from Birmingham to Aberystwyth, the train wifi however was very good so I could work for the entire journey there and back.

I like the wifi. But I have to say my top priority is having enough staff to get me on and off the train because I'm reliant on someone bringing a ramp. In an ideal world all new rolling stock would be level with the platform with a button to press at the wheelchair space door to release a mini ramp to connect the train and the platform, they're coming in in Germany now. But I don't suppose we'll get that, seeing as we're looking at losing even having enough staff to fulfill basic requirements.

Ime no signal is not fine everywhere, outside of main cities it can be and often is awful.

And if there is no staff to ask it can be an important tool for information and contact for help.

I use trains frequently and I’ve never used train WiFi. I would assume it either is rubbish or costs money so I wouldn’t even think to try and connect. I’d rather they cut the WiFi and made fares cheaper!!

I dont know if you're the only person, highly unlikely, but it would never ocxur to me to look for free WiFi. I spend less than a tenner a month of my phone contract for loads of data, its not a privilege of the rich

If the money saved improves services I'm all for it

Signal is fine is not necessarily true

I routinely take a journey where the signal in pants in lots of places

But the WiFi is usually shit too so I tend to just read a book

High priority for me. I don't spend much money on my phone so don't have a data plan

I guess it depends what the other things on the priority list are.
Frankly, I'd put wifi way below:
1)increasig train frequency to more than 1 train a week to a nearby station
2)trains that run
3) trains that run on time
4)clean, safe trains
5) with functioning toilets

I'd probably put it above seat back entertainment like in planes, trolly service on short journeys, recling seats, some other stuff.

As always, it depends on what the comparison is against.

The customers Wi-Fi is shit.
The employees Wi-Fi is not shit.

The customers Wi-Fi is speed restricted to the max!

Low priority for me

This.

I come prepared to not have to use internet on trains. Especially in the route I use, the phone signal is just as sketchy as the WiFi

Free WiFi is of no interest to me.
When I was commuting I didn't use my phone as I always carry a (real) book to read but on the odd occasion I took my phone out (to check a message) I could often see that the WiFi was U/S (and yes I was logged in).
Anyway, have loads of data and have never used even 10% of my monthly allocation.

So what are you going to do if there isn't any free Wi-Fi?

Drive? Get a coach? Not go anywhere?

I feel,like what they are saying is 'you will still have to use our services so that's nothing you can do about it whether you prioritise it or not'.

I would rather have an actual seat on the train than free wifi. Ended up sitting in the corridor no end of times.....and I have reserved a seat!!! Sometimes it's just so mad on the train

I have never used WiFi on a train nor would I so yes it really is bottom of my list. I also don't know of anyone who would use it. I frequently travel the length of the country for work and I am still using mobile data and hot spotting. I haven't worked for a company that allows you to connect to an 'unknown' wifi

WiFi - free or paid for on the East Midlands services to London is extremely slow and unreliable as the train is just connecting (or not) to the same 3g/4g network my phone does. If they could make it reliable and have a decent bandwidth it would be worth something but at present it is worse than useless.

East coast mobile signal is non existent for great patches.

Of course it is a lower priority than many other aspects. Nearly everyone has a phone with a data plan and is very cheap compared to when public wifi first started - eg I pay £10 a month for 20gb of data compared to £27 15 years ago