Class 444 wi-fi

[Mikey C]

A quick question, are the 444s fitted with Wi-Fi yet, as this was announced for this spring?

Thanks

 

[TEW]

I have heard that a couple of units have been fitted as a test. SWT have been promising 444 for wi-fi in their webchats for as long as I can remember though so I wouldn't get your hopes up too much,

 

[cjohnson]

Not yet. At December it was "some routes later this summer". Most recent 'tweet the manager' reply in April was "...the confirmed date of going live will be published once the service is in place. Due to the length of time taken to introduce the service on our fleet of trains this has been the cause of delay."
There was a meet the manager session the other day, so there might be an updated response once the transcript from that is put online.

 

[Mikey C]

Thanks for the replies, considering that they first announced the installation of Wi-Fi in 2012, and then said it would be installed in Spring 2014, I had hoped for more progress! The website doesn't mention Wi-Fi though, so I was prepared to be disappointed

 

[cjohnson]

Having read that response again, their reason of "the length of time taken to introduce the service" as causing the delay is hardly a helpful explanation! "It's delayed because it's late."

 

[Mikey C]

Having read that response again, their reason of "the length of time taken to introduce the service" as causing the delay is hardly a helpful explanation! "It's delayed because it's late."

The 12:32 to Waterloo is 20 minutes late due to not running on time

 

[cjohnson]

An updated response from SWT...

We are introducing Wi-Fi on our 444 express Desiro trains from September this
year. The equipment has been installed, and we are currently testing and
validating its reliability. We hope to gradually roll out Wi-Fi across some of our
remaining fleets once we’ve been able to prove that it’s fully operational. With
our class 158/159 diesel trains that work the Exeter route, it may be difficult to
fit Wi-Fi. Currently no other operator has managed to install Wi-Fi on these trains
in the UK, as they were built in 1989 and had no provision made for it. Our
engineering team are currently working to try and find a solution, but it is likely
that they will be the last of our trains to be fitted. We have not finallised any
arrangements regarding pricing or if wifi will be provided free to customers as
yet, further information will be given prior to launch.

 

[jopsuk]

Have ATW, EMT, Northern and Scotrail even tried to fit wifi to 158s?

And surely one of the main issues anyway is the lineside kit to ensure there's always a good signal? After all, doesn't seem to have been too hard to fit wifi to train carriages built in the 70s!

 

[headshot119]

Have ATW, EMT, Northern and Scotrail even tried to fit wifi to 158s?

And surely one of the main issues anyway is the lineside kit to ensure there's always a good signal? After all, doesn't seem to have been too hard to fit wifi to train carriages built in the 70s!

You'd have thought that after grafting ERTMS into a 158, ATW could cope with fitting WIFI

 

[cf111]

Have ATW, EMT, Northern and Scotrail even tried to fit wifi to 158s?

And surely one of the main issues anyway is the lineside kit to ensure there's always a good signal? After all, doesn't seem to have been too hard to fit wifi to train carriages built in the 70s!

According to this article ScotRail are planning on fitting it to 158s for the Ryder Cup.

 

[jopsuk]

It rather makes me think that by

Currently no other operator has managed to install Wi-Fi on these trains

what they actually mean is

no-one else has tried so we can't just copy what they did

 

[GodAtum]

Anyone disappointed its not on the 450s?

 

[Juniper Driver]

Anyone disappointed its not on the 450s?

No.I'll live.

 

[Goatboy]

You'd have thought that after grafting ERTMS into a 158, ATW could cope with fitting WIFI

It's just another woolly non-answer along the lines of 'its delayed because its taking time'. There is no technical reason why you cannot fit Wifi to a 158 - which is why they will eventually be fitted with them. Other operators have managed with older stock.

 

[Drsatan]

It's just another woolly non-answer along the lines of 'its delayed because its taking time'. There is no technical reason why you cannot fit Wifi to a 158 - which is why they will eventually be fitted with them. Other operators have managed with older stock.

Ultimately, if installing WiFi isn't specified in the franchise agreement, there's less incentive for the TOC to roll it out.

Wait, XC was told to install WiFi, and dragged its heels doing so...

 

[Kite159]

But how much will they charge for it when it does get up and running?

Can't imagine it will be free like Scotrail's 170s & 380s

 

[jopsuk]

Who knows? Greater Anglia are particularly odd with their charging regime. On the Great Eastern, wifi is free in 1st but costs in Standard- but on the Stansted Express/West Anglia, where 1st is only half a carriage at a time, they've simply made it free to all.

The cost will be set at whether they consider it a money making opportunity or a perk.

I'd hope that once they sort out the longer distance stock, attention will turn to the 450s and 458s. The 455s and 456s are unlikely to be fitted!

 

[embers25]

Anyone disappointed its not on the 450s?

Another reason for Portsmouth commuters to complain about being dumped with 450's!