Amtrak adding free WiFi to some trains, still no charge for delayed arrivals
By Tim Stevens 
posted January 14th 2010 9:41AM
posted January 14th 2010 9:41AM
posted January 14th 2010 9:41AM
A look back on popular stories from today in a specific year.
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
I hope our airports get free WiFi as well. I was in Cairo and they had 4 super fast free WiFi networks for anyone to use.
@TareG My airport does have free wifi, although not many have good reason to fly to Albuquerque, NM. IIRC, so does Phoenix, Denver, and Portland. It's just the big hubs that seem to still be charging.
@mmaestro
SLC's got free wifi also...connected there when I flew back to school
I live in Albuquerque also, and I must say the free WiFi at our airport - er, "sunport", is wonderful. Then again, I guess since we are a relatively low traffic area for flights that the cost of maintaining the network is lower here then at huge airports. Free is good.
@TareG
Also, Dallas/Ft Worth airport terminal D apparently had free WIFI when I was there on the 8th of Dec... but when I was returning home through terminal C there wasn't free WIFI.
@petey
DFW does have free Ethernet though! (and power, like any airport) :)
Boston commuter rail trains all have free WiFi through ATT. Can't wait for Amtrak to jump on the bandwagon... it's just what the cell tower needs, even more people trying to sip data.
I realize the Amtrak deal may not be AT&T but any who, I wish these companies would stop offering these kinds of things when their existing infrastructure can't support it's existing customers. Now I have to share my AT&T device's bandwidth with 7,000 schmucks that have WiFi at South Station
@JoeRodricks
True, and it is spotty and worthless once more than a couple people get on it. Each car has it's own connection to share, but if you can even connect, it's largely a reenactment of 9600 baud modems, at best. I've never approached even EDGE speeds in the two years that system has been in place.
I wonder if/how Amtrak will be any better. I tether while on the Acela to NYC, and that works very good for us non EVDO folk.
@nicklar
I'm waiting to have a look at the Apple Tablet before I pull the trigger, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to get a MiFi for the train.
The delays on Amtrak (at least on the NE corridor) are not nearly as bad as the delays one is likely to experience at the airport.
@Destian
True. It used to be that 3 or 4 hour delays for an overnight trip were normal, but lately I haven't noticed any problems. Nothing more then a 5 minute delay or so...
@Destian I've taken amtrak three times here on the west coast. And twice the train broke down halfway through and we had to wait around a few hours. Another time I had to pick someone up from amtrak in the evening, and he didn't arrive till the afternoon on the next day. And they didn't put him up in a hotel or anything like the airlines do. I'd rather sit in the airport for three hours then be on the train and have it take 12 hours to arrive instead of 6.
@dardub
Whining on a blog solves nothing: Amtrak belongs to all of us, the taxpayers. If you want to improve it, write to your representatives in Washington and ask that they start funding it properly. One of the biggest mistakes we've ever made was dismantling our rail system. When was the last time a politician demanded that an interstate "start paying for itself"? I'm delighted by all the Amtrak love here today, I have to say. It's the first hopeful thing I've read all day.
Amtrak is better in some case for regional flight. Sometime the time it took to travel is actually quite close. Airline delays are much more common than Amtrak, and then there are check in times, baggage claim. Usually, the train stations are in the middle of the city, so you don't have to travel 20-40 minutes to the airport out of the city.
But seriously, the seat, it's not cramped.
Expensive tickets? I just did Boston to Rochester for under $40. Cheapest flight was over $100, and a bus...it doesn't even compare in terms of comfort and ease of accessing your luggage in transit.
Yeah, it took a while, but guess what: every flight back home on the same day was canceled due to weather. Which would you prefer: a delay, or no trip at all?
@kevout I love trains too !!! Lionel FTW.. choo choooo!
OR.. you could hop a clean comfortable BoltBus for $15 with free wifi AND a power plug. And if you avoid rush hour it takes about the same time (4-4:30 BOS->NY)
Amtrak is unfortunately still overpriced for the majority of non-business consumers.
I quite enjoy traveling Amtrak, and here in Chicago I haven't really run into many delays. I just jump on the train, watch a few movies on my laptop and then I'm there. I never get bothered about how much luggage I have, and I just figure I'm waiting on the train watching movies and relaxing rather than standing in traffic to/from the airport and standing in lines at the airport. Over the holidays I went to and from St Louis for $23 each way. Most people don't realize the later you buy your ticket the more it costs because the prices increase as the train fills up. That same ticket runs $65 after the trail is full.
As far as Amtrak problems, if the government subsidized their own rail service as well as they subsidize roads and privately held airlines, it might fare a little better. Not to mention the fact that Amtrak is at the mercy of most freight lines. Some state governments have put money into rail improvements and have used leverage against the freight carriers to get Amtrak better privileges but it changes from state to state.
Some people argue they don't want their taxes subsidizing a service they don't use, but more people on trains means less in their way at the airport and on the roads.
If you do travel by train a lot you may also want to look into NARP, you get 10% off tickets and support passenger rail and membership is reasonably priced.
http://www.narprail.org/
Before everyone starts complaining about how bad Amtrak is, please come over to the UK and try travelling on our trains - you're lucky to even find room to stand, let alone get a seat. As for power outlets, luggage space and WiFi.... maybe sometime after 2020!
As a Backpacker, I frequently use Amtrak and enjoy it. My American cousins, you really don't know how good you've got it.
@JB81 Really depends what route you take. I've travelled to London often from the Midland recently and haven't had any problem with train being overcrowded, power-outlets (pre-booked), granted luggage is an issue but i don't bring much. Also the new on demand video system is pretty good especially as its free till February.
@d0mth0ma5
Yes, Virgin pendolinos are quite good - I've been travelling with them most weekends on the Euston - B'ham New St route, and they're ok - if a bit crowded at times
Somebody told me that VT staff are instructed to tell people not to plug in their laptops for more than an hour, I wonder why.....
Haha, I love this post. Engadget totally nailed it of the scam known as Amtrak xD.
Dey Tuk Yur Logo!!!
@Frankenstein Black
How is your comment related to WiFi?
Sooooo happy to have Wifi Tethering on my G1. With a power outlet on the train, I won't have to worry about the battery dying. Of course, Amtrak doesn't provide service to my city, so I'll have to remember this if I ever find myself on the East Coast again.
@Frankenstein Black
If you look at the countries with well developed high speed train systems... they're pretty small. We have thousands of miles to cross to get from one side of the country to the other.
I agree we're lagging behind in a number of developments, but being one of the only free countries in the world complicates things. The Chinese are starting to have a decent high speed rail system(they're a lot more compacted, so it's more useful there than here). But with their communist system, they can pretty much use whatever money, land, etc. to build their system if they want to. Here we actually have to go through the house and senate and all the bureaucratic red tape nightmare.
And private companies haven't figured out a way to make it work yet while making some money in this anti-corporate country.
Actually, I believe they'll be happy to perform a full cavity check if you so desire. Since it's not a frequently requested item, they stopped giving them out for free to save money. :-)
@Frankenstein Black
Oh, puleez. Standard Oil did not rip up the tracks, at least not directly. There were dozens of Class I railroads in the 40's, 50's, and 60's, and they each ran their own passenger service...at a loss.
The development of the interstate system, and the introduction of commercial passenger airline service were the biggest contributor to the decline of passenger rail. Folks simply preferred to drive on taxpayer supported "free" highways.
I agree with er ic. I use Amtrak frequently out of Chicago, and don't suffer delays all that often. Of course, this is because Chicago is the starting point for so many routes. Few trains start out delayed. They're delayed along the route, and it's difficult to make up time.
Anyway, we'll be getting high(er) speed trains in the near future. The powers that be are finally beginning to realize that we can't simply keep pouring more concreate for roads and airports, especially given that the ones that we have are crumbling to pieces. We need a transportation *system* that combines all forms of transportation into a rational whole.
I was at Chicago O'Hare Airport during the last week of December, and I noticed a delayed flight to Springfield, IL. Springfield? It cost ~$20 to travel to Springfield via Amtrak, and the trip takes less than 3 hours. Why would someone fly when a) it cost more, and b) it takes longer.
There are literally hundreds of flights out of Chicago each day to cities in the midwest that are less than 300 miles. Take these travelers and put them on trains, and we'd eliminate the need to spend $15 billion expanding O'Hare Airport, and save a crapload of fuel in the process, as train travel is by far more efficient than autos and airplanes.
This isn't really a fair post to Amtrak... I love taking the train between Kansas City and St. Louis. It's only $52 round trip, only adds an hour to the trip (assuming I would drive otherwise), and I get to sit there with my laptop, handheld games, or books. If they happened to add wifi to this train, I would be absolutely thrilled.
Amtrak maybe slow and some delay, but they had many thing make you feel comfort. Each seat has AC outlet, the chair is just like those in the planet, must better than hard plastic seat from Metro. You had some privacy. Added Wifi is great. But all because government gave billions to Amtrak otherwise wont survive. People need to use Amtrak more, I rarely see in full unless is like friday night or something.
@Frankenstein Black Florida is getting one bullet train line in the next years. It would be awesome as you could be in Tampa, Miami and Orlando in the same day. Perfect for tourists !!!
Train > Airplane on my opinion. (I just don't like planes that much :S )
don't forget to mention that you are running ON SOLID GROUND!!!!!!
I just think planes are not for me... I will visit Europe next year ... on BOAT lol.... Queen Mary II for the win ! 7 days to get from New York to South Hampton England :D but... at least we are over water.... not cotton clouds. :S
When are they going to invent teleporting !!??? Imagine if you could send yourself in en email attachment !
@TikiTeko
no offense mate, but how on earth could you possibly convince yourself that teleporting would be more safe than flying?
then again i can see your point of view considering you've already completely distanced yourself from the reality that flying is actually more safe than travel by car.
Use an appropriate pic , looks like US trying to copy Chinese high speed train pics .
Pse stick to 50 mph train pics
@vizi actually mr. china-fan boy, the acella trains go at about 150MPH (242/KM) granted it is not as fast as the proposed Chinese trains (which go 450KM), Am-track has been working for years to try to get approval for mag rail trains, but unlike china, we are a democracy and the people have to approve it, not just the unquestionable leaders.
Based on the drag distance of the pixels, the speed of this train would be about 85-120MPH so the photo is accurate.
Stop trying to insult America on an American based website. it's juvenile.
@SirNoDroin I am not trying to insult any one here , this pic is inappropriate to this article . JUST THAT
Dont have to spend time in explaining what research and what democracy is all about , there is enough stuff on the net if any one wants to read
Its plain and simple indication this is wrong pic , and nothing more or less than that . So stop exagg....
no one is fan of china , and no one is insulting US , you got the point completely wrong .
Democracy does not mean two party , so that definition is also absolutely wrong . so grow up.
@vizi I don't think i said anything about 2 parties... I said that there is a lot of red tape to push through if they railroads want to upgrade.
And As I said before, do a long exposure on your camera and move it at about 85MPH and the blur effect will be the same as in the photo, it's not inaccurate.
@SirNoDroin Fine , so lets stop at that !
@vizi
Not sure what you are talking about, this is supposed to be an article about Acela trains getting WiFi right? Is that not an Acela train there with some little WiFi waves? How do you not think that's a good picture for the article?
In fact that image has been part of Amtrak's marketing material for some time.
We have had free WiFi on Amtrak here in northern California on the Capital Corridor route between Sacramento and Oakland for six years. It is slow and spotty. I get much better service with my Sprint 3G card and soon with the Clear 4G service that will work in conjunction with the the 4G+ 3G/4G card. Hopefully, you will have better results back east.
Oh Amtrak, you are truly representative of what happens when the government takes over an industry. Can't wait to never use you again.
Oh Amtrak, you are truly representative of what happens when the government takes over an industry. Can't wait to never use you again.
@kingpariah
This post makes no sense whatsoever.
@Frankenstein Black
ridata Beat me to it.
Japan's entire train system is about the size of the North Eastern Corridor here, and the fact that we still have trains running through out the entire US is pretty impressive.
Personally, I think the easiest way to "save" am-track is to shut down the transcontinental lines. No one takes a train from new york to California anymore. there isn't a point. But Corridor trips (NY -> DC Chicago->St. Louis, San Fran->Seattle,) still make sense. This would free up funds to build Mag-Rail Trains in the corridors. They are wasting to much money maintianing railroads that no one uses.
The main stumbling block for Amtrak making WiFi available on many of its routes is the fact that they're running trains on tracks they don't own - one example is the AutoTrain that runs between Lorton, VA and Sanford, FL (Washington, DC to Orlando, FL). The tracks and the right-of-way adjacent to the tracks are owned by CSX, so Amtrak doesn't even have the option of installing the towers needed to provide the service.
Anyone who thinks that the WiFi access would be free in perpetuity is fooling themselves: the cost for maintaining the service would either ultimately get passed on in the form of pricier tickets or become an item that needs to be paid for separately. I would consider the latter option to be more likely and more fair, because I don't see why the rest of the people on, say, the AutoTrain should be subsidizing my Internet usage.
@Principia Very good point. Also, those are rural areas with little infrastructure to tie into.
I think that free wifi is sustainable on the NEC, because T-Mobile wants to cover that densely-populated area anyways, so its a great trade-off for T-Mobile to get some relatively easy tower siting on Amtrak's land in exchange for maintaining the network and providing service to Amtrak at a discounted rate. This is especially true since I-95 is less than a half-mile away from the NEC in most places, and that's another thing T-Mobile wants to cover.
You are absolutely right about non-NEC corridors however. Large towers can be used to cover long distances out west, but its still not going to be free to get a carrier to build out new infrastructure just to support Amtrak, and probably isn't going to happen for most lines that see two Amtrak trains a day. The Keystone Corridor is the only other one that I see possibly getting wifi, as its pretty dense too.
Earli in my marriage, we took an Amtrac sleeper car from ATL to DC. That was awesome. Private room, bath, outlets. We brought a picnic with us. I'd love to do the fertile crescent, from ATL to new Orleans. Throw in wifi, and I'm there.
For two years (up until about 3 months ago) I lived in Washington DC and had a sales territory in Pennsylvania. About 75% of my travel to was to Philly and the burbs so I would be on Amtrak up to 3-4 days a week. I have to say that about 90% of the time, their timeliness was 100%. The other 10% of the time was absolutely horrible!
But considering the cost of flights and the hassle of them, Amtrak is the better way to go. Especially when you consider that with a laptop connect card and my cell phone was basically working the entire time. Also, when there were delays you cold actually get stuff done vs being stuck on a runway for 2 hours going nowhere! From a comfort standpoint as well the trains are hands down better than airlines, even if they are a little worn down. Of course I usually took Acela vs Regional, but still... Also a factor... running late that day and forget to eat... I could grab a snack at the station and eat on the train... much harder on an airplane; stressful day and need to unwind... cafe car sells beer and on some trains they have an attendant that rolls a cart by!
Amtrak certainly isn't perfect and when they mess up they do it but good, but depending on your arrival and departure points, for commute type travel in the NE they are hands down better than airlines.
@SirNoDroin
Those lines are used by freight trains. The majority of the rail traffic in the US is freight, not passenger.
While Amtrak should have rolled out an "as-is" service much earlier, the network to connect to isn't yet done. They are using T-Mobile's 7.2mbit network, and even AT&T and Verizon don't have continuous coverage along the New Haven Shore Line (NHV-BOS). T-Mobile is siting towers now, but there is a lot of NIMBY action (which is sort of absurd if they are build immediately adjacent to an electrified rail line), and a lot of local siting and permitting work to do before they can even build the towers, which have to be ~PCS spaced, since T-Mobile uses AWS for their 3G.
They would also have to get the East River tunnels wired, as right now only Verizon has gear in there. Until they do all of that, they can't charge, but I think they should have started out with Verizon cards with external antennas a few years ago, and offered it on an "as-is" best-effort basis until T-Mobile can do their buildout and provide seamless coverage to the entire corridor to a train that reaches 150mph in a couple of spots along the line.
There also may be hand-off issues, as the system was designed for phones to move at a maximum of about 65mph, not 150, or in New Jersey, 135. This would be worse for AWS/PCS, as the hand-offs would be more frequent to achieve the same level of coverage.
Everybody tries to steal engadget's logo these day's.