The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) in the US has launched its new Piedmont Connect Wi-Fi service on regional trains.
The NCDOT’s rail division has deployed US-based broadband and communication technologies provider ViaSat’s managed Wi-Fi services on its Piedmont passenger trains to ensure complete wireless internet services for those travelling between Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina.
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The new free Wi-Fi service will provide passengers non-stop access to browse the web, check and respond to email, engage in social media and stay connected while travelling on the 174-mile corridor.
NCDOT rail director Paul Worley said: "Railroads are an important part of our national transportation system, and ensuring passenger safety, efficiency and connectivity on the Piedmont corridor will lead to economic opportunities for the regions of Raleigh and Charlotte and the cities, towns and communities in between.
"We see a growing trend in ridership on regional trains like the Piedmont, with over 300 passengers a day.
"We believe by deploying new Wi-Fi services, we can increase passenger satisfaction and attract new customers."
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By GlobalDataThe NCDOT is currently modernising the Piedmont corridor through a series of projects and improvements called the Piedmont Improvement Programme (PIP), which is focused to make train travel safer, more reliable and better connected.
The addition of free Wi-Fi as a standard service on Piedmont trains will improve the overall quality of experience for passengers, potentially increase ridership due to the availability of Wi-Fi and provide extra layers of railway safety in the future by supporting train control and monitoring systems.
The Wi-Fi services managed by ViaSat include end-to-end management of Wi-Fi networks from network design, installation and reporting to monitoring and end-user support via the system’s cloud-based TRACKOS software.
Image: Free Wi-Fi will ensure complete wireless internet services to Piedmont train passengers travelling between Raleigh and Charlotte, US. Photo: courtesty of NCDOT.
