INTRODUCING free internet access on trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow would be worth more than £3 million to the Scottish economy, a new study has claimed.
The Wi-Fi technology is already standard on trains using the East Coast mainline between Edinburgh and London, but business groups also want it introduced on services between Scotland's two main cities.
The research argues that businesses and wor
kers can benefit from using the time on trains to access the internet and e-mails while on the move.
The report, commissioned by the Glasgow-Edinburgh Collaboration initiative, said access would be particularly attractive to business travellers, who are most likely to use laptops, Blackberries, PDAs or mobile phones.
It is estimated that the value of time saved by allowing people internet access on the First Scot-Rail services would be around £3.5m a year. Introducing free Wi-Fi idea is not one of First ScotRail's franchise commitments, so the firm would have to be asked by the Scottish Government before the service is introduced.
Business leaders today said the Wi-Fi would bring benefits for travellers and businesses alike.
When Wi-Fi was installed on trains operating on the East Coast mainline by the then-operator GNER, it cost £3.2m.
The service was initially only on offer to first-class customers, but was last year extended to all train users.
A spokeswoman for Transport Scotland said: "We are currently preparing for a consultation with stakeholders to look at the best way to plan for and introduce various options and initiatives.
"A study into wireless technology and other connectivity improvements along the Glasgow-Edinburgh rail corridor will feature as part of these discussions."
Laura Gordon, director of Glasgow-Edinburgh Collaboration, which spearheads joint promotional initiatives between the two cities, said: "Some people can spend up to three hours driving between the two cities and introducing free Wi-Fi, which allows people to work while they travel, would help encourage a shift away from the car.
"It would also be a big boost to productivity levels and give people more options on how they work.
"It has been introduced, and is working very well, on the East Coast mainline, so I would hope it is something that can follow here."
In December last year, Scottish Citylink installed Wi-Fi technology in its fleet of coaches serving the Edinburgh to Glasgow route.
It was the first bus company in Scotland to offer the service and it cost £20,000 to install.
Around 5000 passengers use Citylink services between the two cities every day, with coaches leaving every ten minutes at peak times.
Ron Hewitt, chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "Introducing Wi-Fi as standard can only help to enhance the attraction of this route for business travellers."
A First ScotRail spokesman said: "If the Wi-Fi option is exercised, we will produce a report and meet all other obligations in full.
"However, that does not mean there is a commitment to Wi-Fi or that it will be introduced."
