STUPID QUESTION OF THE DAY: Do commuter trains and ferries in the US have wireless internet

[Heidi]

connections? When I lived in the US, I traveled everywhere by car or plane; however, in Europe, I travel mostly by ferry, train and plane. I've noticed recently that even the ferry taking me across Lago Maggiore has a wireless lane; yesterday, when I was taking a 7 a.m. trip from Cadenazzo to Lugano via Giubiasco, I noticed that the commuter train also has a wireless lane. Using my iPhone, I was able to read the morning news (and DU) during my 45-minute commute to Lugano.

Is this available in the US? If so, in what areas? :hi:

[taterguy]

1. Probably in Seattle but I don't know for sure

I'm also reasonably sure that it's not available on the Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry, but why would you want to be screwing around on the Internet if you were in either of those two places?

[Heidi]

2. I can't answer for people in Hatteras or Ocracoke, as I've never been in either place.

For me, though, it's not "screwing around." It's having access to my email and reading the morning business news in order to make use of the 45 minutes that I'm enroute from Gambarogno to Lugano. :hi:

[MrCoffee]

4. Some of the commuter buses/trains in Seattle have wi-fi

As far as I know, it's still a pilot project and none of the city buses have it.

[suninvited]

5. I love the Ocracoke ferry

but I havent been on it since the 80's.

[yewberry]

20. WA State Ferries do.

Good guess.

[lizziegrace]

3. I was thrilled when ZombieNixon told me there were electrical outlets

on the Hiawatha from Chicago to Milwaukee. If you want wireless access, you need a service provider like Verizon or some other cellular company.

:hi:

[geardaddy]

6. Megabus

we just took the Megabus from Mpls to Chicago and they had wi-fi

[Heidi]

8. That's cool.

I'm gradually learning all the places in our canton that have wireless. So far, I've found: a Catholic church, several hospitals, a jillion IT consultancies, the ferry, the train and the Swiss Post. :hi:

[geardaddy]

12. Yeah.

Too bad the city of Minneapolis screwed up and makes people pay for the "public" wi-fi. It's not free to residents. :grr:

[Heidi]

9. That's cool.

I'm gradually learning all the places in our canton that have wireless. So far, I've found: a Catholic church, several hospitals, a jillion IT consultancies, the ferry, the train and the Swiss Post. :hi:

[lizziegrace]

14. Really?

Lelapin takes Megabus from Columbus to Chicago and sometimes from Chicago to Milwaukee. I had no idea. :)

[geardaddy]

16. Yep.

We just took it last weekend (the weather was FANTASTIC). It's a long slog though. And apparently the wi-fi doesn't always work.

[lizziegrace]

17. I think Lelapin assumed there was no internet connection

on the bus and didn't even try. Thanks. :)

[geardaddy]

18. No problemo!

:hi:

[CreekDog]

7. BART (SF Bay Area) does but wants to charge $30/month

Cellphones/Smartphones work in the stations however.

[Heidi]

10. Tell 'em it's free in much of Europe.

And how can they get by with doing that when a lot of wireless connection owners don't mind sharing? We don't mind, for example.

[CreekDog]

11. BART is run by idiots

sad to say. perhaps you have heard of the man that was killed by BART police in New Year's and how BART completely fouled up the investigation of that shooting in the days/weeks afterwards.

[madinmaryland]

13. ??

cboynupton runs BART?

[CreekDog]

24. no, you do

Oh snap! :rofl:

[Mike 03]

21. Really, You don't like BART?

I have always loved that transit system, although it's been a few years since I've used it.

But I'm interested in what people think.

[CreekDog]

23. i basically like BART

but despite its good points, it actually has fairly bad management.

[crispini]

15. Most WiFi connection folks here lock their hubs down.

And WiFi costs almost everywhere. I have AT&T at home, though, so I get free WiFi at Starbucks.

[yellowdogintexas]

19. The TRE (Trinity Rail Express) between Dallas and Ft Worth has wireless internet

although I am told it is insufferably slow.

[Mike 03]

22. NOT a stupid question.

Hugs to you Heidi.

P.S. I love that name. One of my best friends was named Heidi.

[Radical Activist]

25. Not Amtrak.

I hear rumors that they'll get wi-fi on the train but it hasn't happened yet.