RTA staff requested at a board meeting Tuesday that the agency’s operational planning and infrastructure committee recommend a contract approval with AT&T, which would provide complimentary broadband internet services for all trains, buses and paratransit vehicles throughout the county.
The contract, which estimates expenses at little more than $2 million for the first five years (approximately $400k annually), could be approved by the board as soon as June 18. If all goes according to plan, RTA will run a pilot program next month.
“This advancement and this investment will be a gateway to the new connected city, connected vehicle of the future,” RTA interim general manager Floun’say Caver told Cleveland.com.
If RTA decides to move ahead with the project, the first fleet installation should occur anywhere from Sept.-Dec. 2019 and the second from Jan.-Aug. 2020. There’s no word yet, however, on how reliable the internet connection will be during transit.
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This article appears in Jun 5-11, 2019.
I would prefer if the RTA would focus on improving the reliability and consistently in service and upgrading their trains, tracks, stations, and fare machines. Offering free WiFi but then requesting to charge more for dates and/or reducing/eliminating routes does not seem very prudent. The RTA is willingly directing taxpayer $ to an amenity that is not needed instead of vital upgrades – wasnt there an alert for months at least concerning 1-car trains due to aging wheels and the wheel replacement? Maybe the higher-ups and the clueless Board members can ride the RTA for a month and reconsider whats really a priority and what isnt. When they start offering better and more reliable service, then they can focus on adding additional amenities to enhance the riders experience.