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June 2, 2010

Amtrak extends free Wi-Fi on Acela trains

After a three-month test period, Amtrak has decided to make free WiFi service on its Excela Express trains a standard of the service and is planning to expand it to other trains.

According to Amtrak, almost 40 percent of its passengers have logged on to the service since it was instituted March 1, with three-quarters of those surveyed reporting a favorable experience.

The railroad said it is making the AmtrakConnect service  permanent on all of its high-speed Acela Express trains between Boston and Washington.

Amtrak said it also plans to upgrade the service to handle video files better and to expand it to Northeast Regional trains and other route around the country. It said that work would begin in late fall on California trains and would be followed by the Northeast Regional trains. The railroad said it is now seeking vendors to provide such services.

AmtrakConnect service is also available to all passengers  in the gate areas of major Northeast Corridor stations, including Baltimore's Penn Station.

 

Posted by Michael Dresser at 4:37 PM |
Categories: Amtrak/intercity railroads
        
About Michael Dresser
Michael Dresser has been an editor, reporter and columnist with The Sun longer than Baltimore's had a subway. He's covered retailing, telecommunications, state politics and wine. Since 2004, he's been The Sun's transportation writer. He lives in Ellicott City with his wife and travel companion, Cindy.

His Getting There column appears on Mondays. Mike's blog will be a forum for all who are interested in highways, transit and other transportation issues affecting Baltimore, Maryland and the region.
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