WiFi coming to Massachusetts commuter trains

It's coming to planes, so it was bound to make its way onto trains. According to a report, a 45-mile commuter railroad line in Massachusetts is about to get a WiFi upgrade, bringing wireless connections to more than 18,000 passengers across 17 stations. Utilizing Sprint's EV-DO service, this will be the largest deployment of train-based WiFi outside of Europe and will bring access to 45 coach cars in the line. "There is not one commuter rail system in the country that has this right now," said Kris Erickson, MBTA deputy chief of staff, adding, "We know there are going to be some technical glitches, but we want to get in there and test it in a real environment and get a much better idea how to do it." The plan is to eventually bless all 13 commuter lines in Massachusetts with wireless capabilities, thus allowing networked games of Sid Meier's Railroads! to actually be played while on a railroad.

[Via Wi-Fi Networking News]

[Shawn Pauley @ Jan 27th 2008 10:20PM]

Thomas the Tank Engine FTW!

[Evan @ Jan 27th 2008 10:21PM]

Oh Thomas, how I miss you so.

[Carbonize @ Jan 27th 2008 10:23PM]

OMG someone has stolen Thomas' face!!!!

Either that or it's the ultimate face lift.

[James Ollier @ Jan 27th 2008 10:39PM]

Found it!

http://www.engadget.com/page/2/

[Carbonize @ Jan 27th 2008 10:43PM]

Damn that thing gives me nightmares. Thanks for giving me another night with no sleep :|

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jan 27th 2008 11:17PM]

Nice custom job. His face now looks like a polished MacBook Pro. It's just missing the Apple.

On the serious side. It's great that you can use wireless on commuter trains. It'll be nice when they implement wireless on the NYC subways. The stations at first and then they may wire the tunnels too.

[Duane @ Jan 27th 2008 10:26PM]

Interesting! I ride the MBTA Commuter Rail every day, and last week I noticed a "RiderNet" Wifi spot on the ride in that was never there before. I wasn't sure if that was some new service coming up, or some MBTA corporate thing that I wasn't supposed to be snooping around. I wonder what they'll charge for it?

http://www.commutesmarter.com

[Duane @ Jan 27th 2008 10:52PM]

The Boston papers have more detail on the story - they're trying it out on the Worcester/Framingham line in to South Station.

Duane
http://www.commutesmarter.com

[Ben @ Jan 27th 2008 10:29PM]

The VRE has been toying with this idea as well.

[max @ Jan 27th 2008 10:39PM]

Mmm. The money would be much better spent making sure the trains do, actually, run (Notice, I am not even talking about them running on time)

[Jeremiah Zachary Hoffman @ Jan 27th 2008 11:16PM]

i agree but a small commuter line from Springfield would be awesome too

[Sam Zebian @ Jan 27th 2008 10:54PM]

Yay, something good about living in Massachusetts. I was starting to hate living in the only state that allows gay marriage, but now I'm living in the only state with wifi enabled trains!!! Too bad I don't ride the trains... Looks like I'm going to be sticking to my unlimited 3g data plan on my phone... too bad wifi can't be everywhere for free!

[m @ Jan 28th 2008 1:49AM]

what does your bigotry have to do with technology? please move, and then there will be TWO good things about living in Massachusetts. asshat.

[w00t @ Jan 27th 2008 10:58PM]

Thomas the wank engine was better!

[Rahloc @ Jan 27th 2008 10:59PM]

MBCR and the MBTA can't even get the traing to run close to on time (usually about 30 mins late at a minimum) now we get wifi. I bet it runs at 2400 baud, 14.4 at max.

[Ignatius @ Jan 27th 2008 10:59PM]

People still ride trains?

[Aaron @ Jan 27th 2008 11:29PM]

You must not live outside a city.

[Jeremiah Zachary Hoffman @ Jan 27th 2008 11:14PM]

hmm.. that's nice way to fc uk* western mass again... at least the pike is free *purposeful typo

[dramamoose @ Jan 27th 2008 11:39PM]

Wish I lived in an area that had commuter anythings. It's a half hour drive to get to a McDonalds from where I live.

[Brad @ Jan 27th 2008 11:39PM]

While it's true that this train system will be the first, the Utah Transit Authority has had wifi in some of the commuter buses for about a year now and are spreading it to the other commuter buses. Additionally, the commuter rail that opens here (Salt Lake City) in March will also have the capability. It's great to be able to surf while you ride.

[Richard Akerman @ Jan 27th 2008 11:48PM]

There's wi-fi on some VIA rail trains in Canada already

http://scilib.typepad.com/science_library_pad/2006/09/review_of_via_r.html

[Bret @ Jan 28th 2008 12:04AM]

I experienced the train wifi on the providence line last week, it was great to pick up on my iPod Touch. I wasn't expecting it at all.

Great idea, will make the train rides more bearable.

[mcat @ Jan 28th 2008 12:19AM]

The Commuter trains in Boston are late 40% of the time. At least this will give people something to do while they wait on the platform.

[Philip @ Jan 28th 2008 12:23AM]

Boooo EV-DO is not Wi-Fi it's a service

[Han @ Jan 28th 2008 9:14AM]

I think they mean that the train will be 802.11, but the connection to the internet will be Sprint's EV-DO network.

[Mikey @ Jan 28th 2008 1:07AM]

I wish Amtrak would do this... It might increase ridership. Wouldn't be a bad idea for Metra too (Chicago area).

Does anyone know much would this cost them total (said $262000 so far)?

[MJZimmer88 @ Jan 28th 2008 7:00AM]

Woohoo! Free internet? In my hometown? Sweet...

Of course, Boston is mostly a driver's city, rather than a commuter line city... but hey, if my iPhone can pick up a slightly faster internet while travelling... I guess I'll take it.

[Lee @ Jan 28th 2008 8:18AM]

Does anyone really believe this will work? I think I'd prefer a working, on-time seat. Great, this gives them another excuse for being late. 'We apologize for the delayed arrival, which was due to a problem with the access points...'
http://www.badtransit.com

[Han @ Jan 28th 2008 9:14AM]

Hey MBTA. Why not start with actually having reliable commuter rail service with train cars from the last 20 years that don't stink like someone threw up into them repeatedly, actually run on time, and start to add service that's actually useful to people outside of rush hour. I don't understand, the train barely runs outside of rush hour but we're getting high speed wireless? Why not use the money to, I don't know, maybe add more trains?

[web2.oh @ Jan 28th 2008 12:20PM]

Hmm, I wonder if this has anything to do with getting the Charlie Card to be usable on the commuter rail. For those outside of Boston, the MBTA recently switched over to an automated fare collection (AFC) system. Instead of using tokens, you use either disposable tickets with a magnetic stripe or a permanent RFID card (the Charlie Card) to pay. The implementation of the system has taken a long time and been a bit rough, and basically isn't even complete. You can use your Charlie Card to pay for bus and subway service, but it is useless on the commuter rail! For the train, you still need to purchase a ticket. So perhaps wifi on the T would mean AFC devices could finally be implemented on the commuter rail.

With all the issues the MBTA is facing, though, I really can't see this wifi service going anywhere. Horrendous debt, aging trains, Blue Line replacement subway cars being delayed forever, unreliable service on the Green Line (and arguably the whole system, haha), capacity issues on the commuter rail, the godawful mess that is the Silver Line...yeah, unless internet access means we'll be able to use the Charlie Card on the train, the MBTA doesn't have their priorities straight.

Oh, and if the MBTA actually keeps up with this, be prepared to wait a loooooonnng time for wifi to be on all commuter rail lines. The MBTA doesn't do ANYTHING quickly.

[Guy Faulkner @ Jan 28th 2008 4:12PM]

In fact the largest Wi-Fi deployement in North America was introduced on VIA rail Canada. The entire Quebec City-Windsor Corridor a total of 268 cars are Wi-Fi equipped.

The deplyment started in 2006, the last car was completed November 2007.