If you’ve ever been out of data and were scrambling to find out directions to know where to go because you get very, very, very easily lost (guilty, as charged) then we might have some good news for you. The government parties CDA and ChristenUnie want to invest a million euros to make the Wi-Fi on intercity trains much faster, reports RTL Nieuws.Â
According to CDA MP Mustafa Amhaouch, it is a source of “major annoyance” for anyone who wants to have access to fast Wi-Fi on the trains to study, work or just catch-up on social calls. He says, “we want NS to be able to invest more in innovations that make faster internet possible.”
Will the majority in the Lower House support this?
Yes, they seem to think so! They think this proposal needs to be pushed as soon as possible.
CU politician Stieneke van der Graaf thinks this could even persuade people to pick using the train rather than driving their car to their destinations (cheaper train tickets would also help, you know). “If we want people to choose the train over the car, then we must also ensure that the internet on the train is good, fast and reliable.”
Where will the million euros come from?
They want the money to be redirected from an existing “innovation pot”. They want it invested into new receivers and improve the coverage of radio masts along the train tracks.
My two cents as someone who wouldn’t mind faster internet
Having fast internet is great and all, but does it need to be a priority? As of now, the price of public transport in the Netherlands is one of the highest in Europe. So if you really want to persuade people to switch from using their cars to the trains, it would be dandy if they could also invest in reducing the prices of the tickets.
Would you like to have faster internet on the trains, or can you live off-the-grid while you’re on them? Let us know in the comments below!
> Look at all this guy just living in the moment. No phone in sight, because the wifi is probably down.
Yeah, as someone who has to share trains with asocial dutchies, spreading out and blocking anyone from using the seats, screw him. I make them move their bags – and perhps let’s not promote such douchy behaviour, okay?