This isn’t the Love Train! British rail operator BANS passengers from using dating apps on board – but claims there’s a ‘good reason’ for the move

For many singletons, the daily commute is the perfect opportunity to get online and browse through your dating apps. 

But if you travel with Northern, there’s bad news for you. 

The rail operator’s on-board WiFi will now block access to all dating apps and websites. 

Northern says the ban has been driven by the fear that children on board its trains will see inappropriate content.  

‘Whilst some dating websites – and users – will operate with appropriate levels of self-moderation, some might not and it’s important that content not suitable for everyone to see or hear – particularly children – isn’t viewed on our trains,’ said Matt Rice, chief operating officer at Northern. 

Northern is one of the largest train operators in the UK, second only to FirstGroup plc, which operates Great Western Railway.

It provides around 2,500 local and regional services every day to more than 500 stations across the North of England. 

In total, 100 million passenger journeys are made on its network each year.

The rail operator offers free on-board WiFi to these customers, under the ‘Friendly WiFi’ scheme – the government-initiated safe certification standard for public WiFi.

This means several categories of content – including video streaming, gambling, alcohol, adult content, pornography, and nudity – are blocked.  

The rail operator has revealed that its on-board WiFi will now block access to all dating apps and websites

The news has not been warmly received on social media, with many users claiming that Northern’s WiFi doesn’t even work in the first place

‘That is the best salesmanship I’ve ever seen! Our wifi doesn’t work, but to put a positive spin on that we designed it that way to keep you all safe!’ one user tweeted

‘The WIFI services on the train don’t work well at all times!’ one user pointed out

Now, Northern has add dating apps and websites to this list. 

‘We welcome millions of people on-board our trains every year,’ Mr Rice eplained. 

‘Access to safe and reliable internet is part and parcel of our customers’ expectations.’

The news has not been warmly received on social media, with many users claiming that Northern’s WiFi doesn’t even work in the first place. 

Replying to Northern’s post about the change on X (formerly Twitter), one user wrote: ‘Would help for a start if it actually worked.’

Another added: ‘That is the best salesmanship I’ve ever seen! Our wifi doesn’t work, but to put a positive spin on that we designed it that way to keep you all safe! 

‘You’d smash it on the apprentice!!’

And one joked: ‘Your wifi doesn’t even load a Google page, let alone anything else!!’ 

Mr Rice added: ‘This on-board dating app embargo aside, we wish our single customers all the best in their search for their perfect partner.’