Train mobile coverage: Central Coast commuters promised better service
COMMUTERS have been waiting two years for action on consistent mobile coverage on the trains and finally there’s a glimmer of hope with the first improvements expected to filter through by the end of the year.
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THE first Central Coast commuters could start to see improved train mobile coverage by the end of the year.
This is according to Robertson federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks, who said the tender process for the project was underway.
“The Commonwealth and NSW Governments have already signed the project agreement and I am glad to report that the tender process is underway as we speak,” Mrs Wicks told the Express Advocate.
“I am pleased to report that our hardworking commuters will start to experience improved services by the end of 2018.”
It has been just over two years since Mrs Wicks made the $12 million election promise to eliminate mobile black spots on trains between Wyong and Hornsby, and provide free Wi-Fi at all stations.
Commuters have little to no coverage on the more than 60km-stretch of rail line, and are at their wits end on the issue.
The Express Advocate approached Mrs Wicks for an update on the two year old promise last Thursday, as she announced a new mobile base station at Calga.
She responded today, saying she was working closely with the State Government which was managing planning, site access, power availability and safety-related issues.
“Black spots and reception drop outs have been an ongoing issue for commuters along the Central Coast rail corridor because the train line passes through diverse terrain including hills, valleys and tunnels which cause mobile phone black spots,” Mrs Wicks said.
“For this reason we have specified that the tender asks respondents to put forward solutions to ensure timely delivery of the project. We expect this tender process to be highly competitive to ensure that this project is delivered for our commuters sooner rather than later with construction due to commence following the outcome of the competitive tender process.”
Meanwhile, people in Calga have improved mobile coverage with Optus switching on a mobile base station along Peats Ridge Rd last week.
The new tower is expected to enhance coverage along Peats Ridge Road with an area coverage of more than 200 square kilometres.
“It’s fantastic to be able to switch on dedicated mobile reception for the first time, in an area without reliable coverage,” Optus Mobile Planning Manager Vin Mullins said.
New towers have also been switched on at Ourimbah Interchange, Gosford Interchange and Reeves Road Overpass on the M1, with a further two sites near the Mount White Interchange and Hawkesbury River Bridge expected to be live soon.
The towers are part of the Federal Government’s $220 million Mobile Black Spot Program.
Mrs Wicks said that the new coverage would open doors for local businesses and the community by providing the same access to mobile services as that in major cities.
“The new site addresses a known black spot identified by the local community in Calga, providing them with dedicated mobile reception to make and receive calls, texts and access mobile data,” she said.
“Switching on dedicated mobile coverage was particularly important to the residents in this region because it will help boost community safety in the area by ensuring that Calga has access to vital emergency services which have previously never been possible.
“This site is in addition to the mobile coverage already improved in parts of Mangrove Mountain, Mangrove Creek, Mount White, Somersby and now Calga.”
Optus is also continuing to work on other black spot sites in the area including Spencer and Wisemans Ferry Road.