WA Labor promises Perth train wi-fi network

Enough to coax commuters from their cars?

Western Australian Labor will stump up $1 million over the next three years to trial free wi-fi on Perth trains if the party is brought to power in the state's March election.

The party's leader Mark McGowan said that the trial was expected to initially cover 10 trains in Perth's current fleet.

If successful, it would be expanded to cover the entire Metronet network, a modernised train system for Perth that Labor is proposing as part of its election campaign.

Metronet would include two new routes, two line extensions and new stations, and is aimed at reducing congestion on the public transport network.

"This free wi-fi trial will identify the level of demand and any improvements required to ensure the successful roll-out of free wi-fi across Metronet," McGowan said.

"Following the successful conclusion of the trial, WA Labor will convert the remainder of the current train fleet to ensure all trains on Metronet have free wi-fi access.

"[Also], any new trains ordered would also be installed with wi-fi capability."

McGowan saw free wi-fi as a "tool" to coax Perth's commuters to leave their cars and use Perth's rail system instead.

"If we want to solve the congestion crisis, we need to get people out of their cars and the incentive of being able to use free wi-fi is a great way to do it," he said.

As campaigning for the election began in earnest, a Newspoll had the current Barnett coalition government in an "untouchable" position, suggesting an uphill battle for Labor in the state.

Western Australians go to the polls on March 9.