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class="MsoNormal">Free Wi-Fi is to be available across almost the entire public transport system next year.

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class="MsoNormal">Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar announced plans of the roll-out today.

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class="MsoNormal">Both DART and Dublin Commuter rail services are due to go on-line this autumn.

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class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile 80 new Dublin Bus vehicles are to offer the free service by Christmas.

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class="MsoNormal">It is already available on Irish Rail Intercity services and on most of the Bus Éireann fleet.

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class="MsoNormal">The service is also currently being tested on Luas services and should be available across Dublin city by the end of the year.

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class="MsoNormal">As part of a drive to provide up-to-date facilities for tourists Wi-Fi services are also being provided in tourism offices across Ireland.

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class="MsoNormal">The service is being tried and will be available in a number of offices in the near future.

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class="MsoNormal">“We need to ensure that public transport remains an attractive and competitive option for passengers” Minister Varadkar said.

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class="MsoNormal">“Free internet access gives public transport a significant edge over the car, and is already proving popular with passengers where provided”.

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class="MsoNormal">“At the same time, tourists rely increasingly on the internet when travelling, using their smart phones or tablets to conduct their research on the move”.

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class="MsoNormal">“In order for Ireland to compete as a tourism destination, we must offer 21st century services to 21st century tourists” he added.

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