FREE wi-fi will be available at Glasgow's two main rail stations in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

And commuters heading to the city from Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Renfrew- shire and Lanarkshire, will have access to the web by next March, it was announced today.

The £1million boost comes from the Scottish Government following trials on Glasgow to Edinburgh trains.

Transport Minister Keith Brown today said that free wi-fi is to be extended to 25 more stations across the country to include Glasgow Central and Queen Street, Anniesland and the upgraded Dalmarnock stations.

Other city stations in the programme are Mount Florida and Partick as well as Ayr and Kilmarnock, Helensburgh Central and Paisley Gilmour Street.

ScotRail chiefs will make access to the internet available on their new fleet of Class 380 trains by March.

Announcing the news in Paisley, the Transport Minister said: "We are committed to ensuring rail travel in Scotland is an attractive option for tourists, commuters and business users.

"Giving passengers the ability to connect to the internet at 25 stations and on all class 380 trains throughout Ayrshire, Inverclyde, Lanarkshire and the Lothians will provide more opportunities for people to switch to the rail network whilst keeping up-to-date with the latest information.

"In 2014, the eyes of the world will be on Scotland - visitors flying into Prestwick and Glasgow airports, who then join the rail network, will be able to get access to wi-fi on every train.

"We will continue to explore ways of getting more people connected when travelling by train between all Scots cities."

Wi-fi is already available on ScotRail's Class 170 express trains.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk