Amtrak expands WiFi service to East Coast routes

The US state-owned rail operator Amtrak has expanded its free AmtrakConnectSM WiFi service to 12 East Coast routes.

The Wi-Fi service will now be available in the Carolinian, Downeaster, Ethan Allen Express, New Haven-to-Springfield Shuttle and Vermonter routes.

The service will also be available on four other routes, although it will be restricted to select cars; these include the New York-Montreal, New York-Toronto, New York-Savannah and New York-Philadelphia-Pittsburgh routes.

AmtrakConnect WiFi service is currently available on high-speed Acela Express trains in the North-east Corridor and on the Amtrak Cascades service in the Pacific North-west.

The expansion of service will provide WiFi services to almost 60% of Amtrak passengers, the operator said.

Amtrak is also planning to launch WiFi services in California by the end of 2011, including on Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner and San Joaquin trains.