METROLINK travellers in Manchester will be able to go online while journeying on line.

By Spring of 2015, commuters will be able to make the new connection as part of a £1.7 million deal to roll out free wifi on all 94 trams and all 20 Metroshuttle buses in Manchester city centre.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) – which owns the Metrolink network and Metroshuttle have joined forces with Manchester and Salford City Councils and the government’s broadband delivery, to fund the innovative scheme.

Metrolink is on track to be the first light railway in England to becoming fully wifi capable.

Transport bosses believe the move will help Greater Manchester move a step closer to its ambition of being a top 20 worldwide digital city region by 2020.

Cllr Andrew Fender, chairman of the TfGM committee said: “This is great news and will benefit the millions of people who travel on Metrolink’s trams and Metroshuttle’s buses each year.

“We live in a digital age and people want to make the best use of their travelling time – quick and simple access to digital technology is key to this.

“Greater Manchester is leading the way in the growing provision of wifi services on public transport, which in turn takes us one step close to our aim of being a top 20 digital city region by 2020.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The introduction of free wifi on all services ensures that residents and visitors to Manchester can make the most of mobile technology while they are on the go.”