Thousands of Central Coast rail commuters are a step closer to uninterrupted mobile and internet coverage after the Federal Government called for expressions of interest in the $16 million telecommunications upgrade between Sydney and the Central Coast .

The announcementtoday was made jointly by Robertson Federal Liberal MP Lucy Wicks and Communications Minister Mitch Fifield.

The upgrade seeks to end the notoriusly dodgy coverage along the 60km stretch of rail line between Wyong and Hornsby which is plagued with drop outs and black spots.

media_camera Central Coast commuters bound for Sydney.

It is the next phase of delivering the government’s 2016 election promise.

A total funding commitment of $16 million includes $4 million from the NSW Government.

The total package will deliver improved mobile coverage as well as provide Wi-Fi at train stations for up to 30,000 Central Coast commuters who travel on Sydney Trains and NSW Trainlink services each day.

Federal Communications Minister Mitch Fifield acknowledged that mobile drop outs and blackspots were incredibly frustrating for commuters.

The expression of interest process will be open until November and a formal tender process will start by the end of the year.

media_camera Lucy Wicks speaking with commuters Natasha Bertam of Green Point and Kylie Edwards of Woy Woy . Picture by Mark Scott

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald said it was an important milestone in delivering better services to central coast.

The NSW Government will announce a separate expression of interest to install Wi-Fi at stations along the Central Coast rail line.