COMMUTERS riding trains between Newcastle and Sydney will have improved mobile coverage as part of a $29 million infrastructure upgrade unveiled on Friday.
Telstra and both the state and federal governments are funding the upgrade, which includes a mobile base station and Narara and free wifi at Tuggerah, Mount Colah and Lisarow stations.
"Building new mobile infrastructure reduces mobile black spots along this busy rail corridor and allows passengers to catch up on work or the news, and stay in touch with friends and family, while in transit," Federal Minister for Communications Paul Fletcher said.
Robertson MP Lucy Wicks said roughly one in four people on the Central Coast used the Newcastle Line to make the two-hour commute into Sydney.
"I have heard from hundreds of commuters about how continuous mobile coverage will improve their daily lives and it's good to be here to help launch the first stage of services," she said.
"Sitting idle on a train is just not productive for commuters who need to stay connected to work and family."
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