Rail travellers lapping up free wi-fi

A free wi-fi service on the East Coast Main Line railway is proving extremely popular with passengers.

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Rail operator National Express has seen wi-fi usage more than triple since it introduced a free service for all passengers in December last year, when it took over the franchise.

The number of people using the wi-fi has risen from around 30,000 per month to more than 100,000 in January alone, it said. Previously wi-fi access was only complementary in First Class. Standard class travellers had to fork out £4.95 an hour to get online.

Alan Hyde, head of communications at National Express East Coast, said in a statement: "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."

The East Coast Main Line runs from London to Scotland and carries more than 17.4 million passengers per year.