Amtrak to make free Wi-Fi standard on Acela Express trains
updated 03:00 pm EDT, Thu June 3, 2010
Acela to put free Wi-Fi on Express trains
After a trial run that proved to be a great success, Amtrak has said it will make free Wi-Fi access standard on its Acela Express trains. After a three month test period, the Washington, DC to Boston run will be the first route to get the service, with more being added in the future. During the trial, 39 percent of riders, or about 115,000, signed on.
Work on outfitting its trains, beginning in California and followed by the Northeast Regional Service, should start by late fall.
Implementing Wi-Fi on trains is sometimes more difficult than with aircraft as Amtrak can't necessarily guarantee that all passengers will get continuous access. The challenge will be to make each car self-sufficient, as non Acela Express trains get mixed and matched, with individual cars sometimes swapped between trains.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
Amtrak
It's about time. Amtrak should have wi-fi on all trains. If they want to compete with the airlines, they need to make the time spent productive time. I enjoy taking the train, and if they had Wi-Fi on board they may see an increase in ridership on the long runs. Most people on Acela use laptops with a tether or cell card anyway.
It's great news, but Amtrak needs to start innovating.