Many mass transit units across the country have adopted wireless Internet technology to improve their ridership numbers. After all, people are more apt to take public transportation if they benefit directly. Yes, public transit is a more economical means of transportation on the whole, but many people think the convenience of a car trumps it. In one major commuter hub, New York City, there seems to be a lack of these services. While railroads across the country have wireless Internet, the Metro Transit Authority’s Long Island Railroad and Metro-North services are without them. NY Senator Chuck Schumer wants to see that change, and fast.
While the MTA says it is “assessing the feasibility of providing the service,” it has many more problems on its plate. The MTA has considerable debt and budget gaps now and in the future, so adding wireless Internet might be a luxury it cannot afford. So while Internet access might boost usage, it would have to do so considerably, and in an economic fashion, for the transit body to consider it seriously. In the end, though, they might consider it a way to boost ridership and therefore revenues. So there is hope after all.
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