Wi-Fi access is finally coming to GO Transit vehicles but you may have trouble finding a train where you can connect at first.
Minister of Transportation Kathryn McGarry announced on Wednesday that Metrolinx will introduce Wi-Fi on two GO trains and four GO buses “as a first step towards” introducing the service on all of its vehicles.
The vehicles that are enabled for Wi-Fi access will have special signage indicating its availability.
According to a press release, Metrolinx is using the trial run to “examine service quality and collect feedback from transit users.”
News of the rollout comes after Metrolinx sought expressions of interest for a partner willing to fully equip GO vehicles with Wi-Fi service in June.
“This will last a couple of months and we are looking at expanding it further depending on how it works. We are very excited about it,” McGarry told CP24 on Wednesday afternoon. “Most people want to be connected in their daily commutes. This helps to get more people out of their cars enjoying their daily commute, whether it is by checking their work email or staying connected to friends and family.”
McGarry said that Wi-Fi service will be introduced on the vehicles in March at a cost of about $1.5 million.
She said that staff are currently studying “a couple different options” on what hardware to use to provide Wi-Fi service on the vehicles. Feedback from customers, however, will likely inform Metrolinx’s decision on which technology it will use to eventually equip its entire fleet with Wi-Fi.
“We will be looking to have our customers tell us how it is. We will be looking at connectivity and quality of the service,” McGarry said.
Wi-Fi is already available at 64 TTC subway stations and plans are underway to make it available to riders in between stations as well.
A timeline has not been provided for when Wi-Fi will be available on all GO Transit vehicles, however McGarry said “the sooner the better.”
