Northern Trains which operates the Harrogate line has appealed to customers to stop watching explicit videos and making inappropriate jokes whilst travelling.
It has extended the strict ‘not suitable for work’ rule regarding the viewing of content to its trains and stations, after facing a problem with “a minority” of commuters.
This can range in scale from inappropriate jokes and bad language to offensive topics and explicit material.
The operator said:
“Whilst people are more likely to err on the side of caution at work, the rush to view content once they’ve left the workplace can mean the train journey home is often the first opportunity to take a look.”
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Northern said the internet in its stations and on-board the trains is delivered in partnership with ‘Friendly WiFi’ – a government-initiated safe certification standard for public WiFi.
Friendly WiFi aims to reassure users that the service meets minimum filtering standards – particularly in areas where children are present, such as on station platforms and on trains.
Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said:
“We welcome millions of people into our stations and on board our trains every year – and access to safe and reliable internet is part and parcel of our customers’ expectations.
“It is important, however, that people remember that some content is not suitable for everyone to see or hear – particularly children.
“As such, if something is ‘not suitable for work’ it’s more than likely not suitable in our stations or on board our trains either – so please wait until you get home.”
Bev Smith, director of Friendly WiFi, said:
“We are excited to be working with Northern as a ‘Friendly WiFi’ certified train operator.
“They were passionate throughout the process to achieve the standard to ensure a great experience online for all their customers whilst travelling with them.”
In 2010 Harrogate was dubbed Britain’s “porn capital” by the tabloid press after an analysis of residents’ internet use for the BBC2 show The Virtual Revolution.
As train services prepare to wind down today ahead of the looming rail strike, the Stray Ferret went to Harrogate station this morning to speak to commuters.
No trains will run between York and Leeds on Tuesday and Thursday this week, which will affect rail passengers in Harrogate and Knaresborough.
Further strike action is planned on Saturday and rail operator Northern is urging people not to travel on trains between tomorrow and Sunday.
No replacement buses are being put on.
The RMT union has called the strike over pay and conditions. It will see thousands of drivers, signal operators and guards walk out.
Commuters in Harrogate said they had been forced to change their working days this week or work from home. Some have had to rearrange or cancel meetings.
Kevin Dalton told us:
“I’m not a regular train user as I work from home most of the time.
“But I had a meeting this week and I’ve had to rearrange to today just so I can make it. The idea of driving into Leeds or York for 9am just isn’t worth thinking about.”
For others still having to travel into the office, the additional petrol and taxi fees were a concern.
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Kayleigh, who works at Hornbeam Park and asked not to publish her surname, said:
“I’ve had to arrange for someone to come and pick me up and bring me home each day.
“It is an inconvenience, I work with people from York and Leeds so they’ve either got to work from home or spend two and a half hours on the bus.”
Another commuter, Diane Hitchen, sympathised with the strikers and said the difficulties it is causing highlighted how much rail workers do. She added:
“I have a lot of teacher friends who have taken strike action before so I understand why.
“Clearly rail workers feel they have to make an impact for their requests to be met.”
Northern has said it will publish its Sunday timetable shortly.
Further details on how the strike will affects services are available here.