Amtrak Wi-Fi (WiFi) Availability

[michaelk]

From Forbes article 10 tips for Acela:

http://blogs.forbes.com/bethgreenfield/ ... a-journey/

Consider using your own wireless device.

Though all Acela trains now offer free WiFi (a wonderfully welcome addition, to say the least), the service is spotty, weak, sometimes filtered and generally less than reliable—something acknowledged by Amtrak, which carries this advice on its website: “AmtrakConnect is a shared Internet connection that works best when browsing basic content or reading email. We ask that you refrain from playing streaming video or downloading large files so that we can provide all our passengers with the best network experience possible. Amtrak may restrict access to those individuals who are found to be utilizing high-levels of bandwidth. Amtrak will also restrict access to some websites deemed to have questionable content. If you have encountered a website which you feel has been incorrectly blocked by our automatic filter, let us know.” If you absolutely must have strong, constant service, you’re better off traveling with your own wireless internet card.

[Suburban Station]

so no sooner did we have the bags uptop than our 12 yo niece says "i dibt ubderstand why they dont have wifi"

[ToledoRailFan]

I definitely fall into the "required to be connected" crowd. It's for both work and for pleasure. For the record, I am 28.

I have a relatively high profile position which requires on-call time for a week once every 5 or so weeks, and am constantly on call as a backup/escalation and management contact for my team. I can't go into exactly what I do, but am responsible for keeping the IT lights on for thousands of medical researchers. I have an aircard to help out when I do not have WiFi available - but it is a nicety to not have to use it.

Between my personal BlackBerry and work iPhone, I spend about 6,000 minutes a month on the phone and use about 4 to 5 gb of mobile data - most of which is on the iPhone for work. I don't have a land line.

I don't like to be off the grid. I enjoy my social media, my streaming music, and the ability to not have to think "I wonder...", instead, I find out. That's not to say I don't like to take a step back from a fast paced lifestyle and take a long distance rail trip or a road trip once in a while, but being available and having the ability to get information when I want it are not something I take lightly.

[jstolberg]

According to a DePaul University survey of over 1,000 people who took the bus instead of Amtrak, 91% were planning on using electronic devices during their travel.
http://busride.com/2011/08/report-curb- ... -business/

[RhoXS]

My wife and I made a round trip on the Auto Train last week; our first train trip other than commuter trains. We really enjoyed the experience and expect to go by train again and are even thinking about a Chicago to Ca train trip sometime in the next year or so.

Although we are both not too far from geriatric age of 70 we are both very connected for many reasons (one does not have to be young to be connected as someone previously suggested). As a result, we were initially disappointed when we learned there would be no WiFi access. Our sleeper steward told us that Amtrak had previously experimented with WiFi aboard the Auto Train but they were never able to get it to work reliably so they just dropped the effort. We did not even bother to bring a laptop on board for the return trip.

In any case, we had reasonably good 3G AT&T cell service for not all but most of the trip so we had internet access on our iPhones. Internet access has become part of our everyday life and we miss it when it is not available. This is because any question we have about anything can be relatively quickly researched on the internet. The internet is an almost infinite source of information to us. We use it for everything from finding restaurant menus/addresses, looking up interesting facts that might get our attention from a book we are reading to a town we pass that looks interesting, news, hotel reservations, email, etc. While aboard, I was even able to learn a lot about the GE P40DCs at the head end of the train. The list is endless. As a bonus, the iPhones had good GPS coverage aboard the train so we always new exactly where we were and our speed. Battery life was not a problem because we had a 120 VAC receptacle in our roomette.

In other words, it would be a very welcome benefit if WiFi access would become available on passenger trains. We are maxed out with airports and airline a la carte charging and crappy customer service so we expect to be traveling by train again.

[JimBoylan]

Washington and Philadelphia's Club Acelas don't like Firefox until you use Internet Explorer to accept the rules and disclaimer. An Acela train at Washington would accept Firefox for the rules and disclaimer, all on 8/11/11. Chicago's Metropolitan Lounge accepted Firefox instantly on 8/10/11.

[hi55us]

Washington and Philadelphia's Club Acelas don't like Firefox until you use Internet Explorer to accept the rules and disclaimer. An Acela train at Washington would accept Firefox for the rules and disclaimer, all on 8/11/11. Chicago's Metropolitan Lounge accepted Firefox instantly on 8/10/11.

Using the Wifi on the acela with google chrome is sometimes buggy, but a guy sitting next to me had a good hint, when you click the "I agree" button you should click on one of the news articles on the next page to avoid having the "I agree" page keep poping up.

[n2cbo]

I definitely fall into the "required to be connected" crowd. It's for both work and for pleasure. For the record, I am 28.

I have a relatively high profile position which requires on-call time for a week once every 5 or so weeks, and am constantly on call as a backup/escalation and management contact for my team. I can't go into exactly what I do, but am responsible for keeping the IT lights on for thousands of medical researchers. I have an aircard to help out when I do not have WiFi available - but it is a nicety to not have to use it.

Between my personal BlackBerry and work iPhone, I spend about 6,000 minutes a month on the phone and use about 4 to 5 gb of mobile data - most of which is on the iPhone for work. I don't have a land line.

I don't like to be off the grid. I enjoy my social media, my streaming music, and the ability to not have to think "I wonder...", instead, I find out. That's not to say I don't like to take a step back from a fast paced lifestyle and take a long distance rail trip or a road trip once in a while, but being available and having the ability to get information when I want it are not something I take lightly.

I second the motion... I am TOTALLY LOST without connectivity. I am a senior eXecutive Officer(XO) for emergency operations for The US Army Auxiliary - US Region 2 (My unpaid full-time job), Plus I am a partner in a Philadelphia, Pa. area radio station (my paid full-time job for the moment), so I NEED to be connected. And for the record, I will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of my 39th birthday (I stopped counting at 39) in November (so I guess I can be considered a F.O.G. (F***ing Old Giezer) 8^)

[justalurker66]

I would have been happy to have an electrical outlet to keep my toys running the last time I took a LD train. I believe that has been fixed now (more cars upgraded to include outlets at the seat).

There are some very scenic places trains go ... and some unscenic places. Being able to take advantage of some of the diversions one has at home is nice. If that is the morning's paper, fine. If that is the ability to have the internet as available when sitting for hours at a time that is good too. When the competition offers something like charging stations or enroute wi-fi it is good to take notice and see what one can do to meet the competition.

Not having wi-fi is a negative ... but it is a negative that can be fixed. Perhaps corporate sponsors will help. Let AT&T or Verizon Wireless put "wi-fi compliments of ..." stickers on the window and have them install and support the system. But get it there. The number of people who expect wi-fi will only grow.

(BTW: A seat base that could be tipped back two inches instead of being level with the train would have been more desirable than wi-fi or power outlets given the choice. But I had none of the three. Having those three features would allow me to enjoy riding trains more.)

[Jersey Jeff]

I think Amtrak is inching closer to offering WiFi outside of the NEC. Yesterday I rode train 43 from Newark to Pittsburgh in Business Class car #81502. When I opened my laptop, I found a strong WiFi signal from a network named "Amtrak Connect." Alas, it was password-protected, so perhaps it is operating in testing mode only right now.

[BuddSilverliner269]

Per signs hanging up in our crew bases, the wifi will be available on the trains on October 1st. I think amtrak would've been ready awhile ago but the cafe cars needed to be hooked up for this as well as the rest of the cars. There is a new box in the ceiling of the coach vestibules that is tied into the wifi system.

[Greg Moore]

Per signs hanging up in our crew bases, the wifi will be available on the trains on October 1st. I think amtrak would've been ready awhile ago but the cafe cars needed to be hooked up for this as well as the rest of the cars. There is a new box in the ceiling of the coach vestibules that is tied into the wifi system.

Yeah, I just noticed one of those the other day. Seems I guessed correctly.

[hi55us]

Per signs hanging up in our crew bases, the wifi will be available on the trains on October 1st. I think amtrak would've been ready awhile ago but the cafe cars needed to be hooked up for this as well as the rest of the cars. There is a new box in the ceiling of the coach vestibules that is tied into the wifi system.

I assume this is just on the NEC

[BuddSilverliner269]

Per signs hanging up in our crew bases, the wifi will be available on the trains on October 1st. I think amtrak would've been ready awhile ago but the cafe cars needed to be hooked up for this as well as the rest of the cars. There is a new box in the ceiling of the coach vestibules that is tied into the wifi system.

I assume this is just on the NEC

I believe the notice said ALL NE direct trains. I could be wrong

[jstolberg]

Good news! October Wi-fi rollout will be on all Northeast Regional trains and also
Empire Service
Ethan Allen Express
Keystone Service
Springfield Shuttles
Vermonter and
Carolinian

November Wi-fi will be complete on the
Capitol Corridor
San Joaquin
Pacific Surfliner

And by the end of 2011
Auto Train lounge cars.
http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/BlobServe ... Report.pdf page 9