V/LINE MOBILE BOOST

V/LINE passengers are being promised improved mobile coverage by year’s end as signal boosters are added to the entire VLocity fleet.

About a quarter of V/Line’s VLocity trains are now fitted with mobile signal boosters, and a rollout to all in the fleet is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.

Stickers will alert passengers to which trains are fitted with the boosters, according to the State Government.

The upgrade is part of State Government work with major telcos to construct 35 new mobile towers to boost coverage for passengers along the Traralgon, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Seymour lines.

Passengers are being told to expect some black spots until all trains are fitted with boost- ers and the mobile towers are built.

Regional Development Minister Jaala Pulford said the upgrades were aimed at closing the divide between regional Victoria and Melbourne.

“Better mobile coverage on these rail lines is part of our effort to connect regional Victoria and remove the digital divide between those living in Melbourne and those living in our regions,” she said.

Innovation Minister Philip Dalidakis said: “Whether passengers want to do business, browse social media or call their loved ones to tell them they’re on the way home, this project will ensure regional passengers are connected.”

Commuters have taken to social media to report that taking calls and accessing emails have been problems on the Geelong line in recent months.