metsfan Posted January 15, 2010 Share #1 Posted January 15, 2010 http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/traffic/2010/01/amtrak_to_add_wifi_to_acela_ex.html Amtrak announced this week that it will add WiFi service to its Acela Express service this March -- but with the ominous caveat that it would "make it available to every passenger initially free of charge. The addition of a high-speed wireless Internet connection is encouraging -- if a little behind the times. The Autopia blog notes that some intercity buses already offer the service, as well as JetBlue, which also operates in the Northeast Corridor. In addition to WiFi, Amtrak also announced it will upgrade the Acela Express service -- the nation's fastest -- by renovating the interior of its rail cars by the end of the year. Amtrak said the improvements will include leather seating and better tray tables and power outlets for laptop computers, Amtrak spokeswoman Tracy Connell said the WiFi service would be free at first and that the railroad would gauge customer response vefore deciding whether to charge for the service. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- I say expand to all trains/cars and have it be free, just add one dollar or less to every ticket sold to pay for it or some such vs request for funds. I would ride more often if it had wifi, and i'm guessing others would too, especially on the regionals & longer distance trains. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred G Posted January 15, 2010 Share #2 Posted January 15, 2010 They gonna have those Amtrak shrimp rolls? :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeystoneRegional Posted January 15, 2010 Share #3 Posted January 15, 2010 Please, watch the Nazi Banksters Crimes Ripple Effect at http://jforjustice.co.uk/banksters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Louis Car 09 Posted January 15, 2010 Share #4 Posted January 15, 2010 And acela shaped hot dogs!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rr4567 Posted January 15, 2010 Share #5 Posted January 15, 2010 They gonna have those Amtrak shrimp rolls? :cool: Amrolls? ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hah, finally they get Internet, huh? Now they should have flocks of chic-----I mean customers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Edwards1 Posted January 15, 2010 Share #6 Posted January 15, 2010 Amrolls? ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Hah, finally they get Internet, huh? Now they should have flocks of chic-----I mean customers. LOL Amrolls!!!:tup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted January 15, 2010 Author Share #7 Posted January 15, 2010 Juicy tidbits, as in other interesting infos. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul P Posted January 15, 2010 Share #8 Posted January 15, 2010 I know how I'm going to New York now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark1447 Posted January 15, 2010 Share #9 Posted January 15, 2010 This is real good! I would like to see the Metro-North getting this. Maube NYC Subway too :cool: At least McDonalds will also get Free Wi-Fi this month too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Local Posted January 16, 2010 Share #10 Posted January 16, 2010 Amtrak was testing wi-fi on an Acela train set last year but it wasn't very successful (not sure about the details), glad they found an option that works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share #11 Posted January 16, 2010 Amtrak was testing wi-fi on an Acela train set last year but it wasn't very successful (not sure about the details), glad they found an option that works. Yea, it kept losing connection. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted January 16, 2010 Share #12 Posted January 16, 2010 Is this the type where you have to sign up for the service or you can get the signal automatically? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted January 16, 2010 Author Share #13 Posted January 16, 2010 Is this the type where you have to sign up for the service or you can get the signal automatically? I believe it's automatic. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Concourse Posted January 16, 2010 Share #14 Posted January 16, 2010 That's good. I've seen places where they have 'free wifi', but you have to sign up with a credit card number. To hell with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nhrrwtby Posted January 28, 2010 Share #15 Posted January 28, 2010 That's good. I've seen places where they have 'free wifi', but you have to sign up with a credit card number. To hell with that. There's no such thing as "free" wi-fi. Somebody pays for it. If you want it to be "free" for customers, you'll have to accept a ticket price increase, a service decrease, or a combination of the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metsfan Posted January 28, 2010 Author Share #16 Posted January 28, 2010 There's no such thing as "free" wi-fi. Somebody pays for it. If you want it to be "free" for customers, you'll have to accept a ticket price increase, a service decrease, or a combination of the two. I believe they are off-setting the cost of the pilot program with things like saving money on food purchases for diner/cafe use, along with a dollar or so more per ticket. If expanded to amfleets, there would be a slight ticket increase of also about a dollar per ticket. The Wi-Fi is part of the general refurbishment of the acela trainsets, so i believe it's all ready been paid for for a short amount of time. - A Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Local Posted February 25, 2010 Share #17 Posted February 25, 2010 The long awaited Wi-Fi service begins March 1st on all Acela trainsets and in some NEC stations. Service will be called "AmtrakConnect" and will be available in the following Amtrak stations: Washington Union Station Baltimore Penn Station Wilmington (upon renovation completion) Philadelphia 30th Street Station New York Penn Station Providence It will work with any laptop or portable device that is Wi-Fi enabled. No speed will be guaranteed to passengers as various factors will affect network speed. After opening your web browser the AmtrakConnect welcome screen should appear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nexis4Jersey Posted March 10, 2010 Share #18 Posted March 10, 2010 No Newark or New Haven? I find that awkward both are very busy stations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrtle Local Posted March 15, 2010 Share #19 Posted March 15, 2010 No Newark or New Haven? I find that awkward both are very busy stations. Route 128 has been added to the list as well. New Haven Union Station is not owned by Amtrak so they're not going to set up WiFi there and Newark Penn is not viewed as a major stop by Amtrak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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