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Collapse Issue 396 - 27 Jun 2016Issue 396 - 27 Jun 2016
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Wicks promises continuous train mobile coverage

Federal member for Robertson, Ms Lucy Wicks, has promised Peninsula rail commuters free wifi at Woy Woy train station and continuous mobile coverage all the way to Sydney if she is re-elected and the Coalition Government is returned.

"We will invest to upgrade and build telecommunications infrastructure to improve the lives of one in four of the adult workforce who commute long distances by train each day," Ms Wicks said.

More than 30 kilometres of rail between Wyong and Hornsby are black spots where commuters currently face little or no mobile data coverage, according to Ms Wicks.

The Coalition would invest $12 million to provide continuous in-train mobile coverage along the rail corridor between Wyong and Sydney as well as wifi at each train station.

"This will improve the lives of thousands of Peninsula residents who leave home before dawn each day and return after dark," said Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

"It will make work time more productive, enhance leisure time and help families and friends connect," Mr Turnbull said.

"And it's happening because local Member Lucy Wicks, after spending hundreds of hours talking to commuters, told me this was one of the most practical things we could do for families on the Central Coast," he said.

The Federal Minister for Communications, Mr Mitch Fifield, said the Coalition understood that reliable mobile coverage was crucial for productivity.

"The Coalition understands the importance of reliable mobile coverage so commuters can get work done and stay in touch with family or the office," Mr Fifield said.

Ms Wicks said the commitment was a game-changer which would directly benefit thousands of people every day.

"This is a major, innovative commitment from the Turnbull Government which will mean more of our hard-working commuters can stay connected for longer on the daily commute, which can be a four to five hour round trip to Sydney or Newcastle," Mrs Wicks said.

The $12 million commitment was expected to leverage an additional $4 million investment from the NSW Government, Ms Wicks said.

There would be an expression of interest process for mobile network providers to bid for the funding.

"A re-elected Turnbull Coalition will work with the NSW Government to provide in-kind assistance to deliver the wifi and improved mobile coverage, facilitating access to land along the rail corridor and helping facilitate planning approvals for new infrastructure," Ms Wicks said.





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