Allegheny County Port Authority customers will be able to surf wherever they ride by early 2020.
Port Authority will finish installing free, unlimited Wi-Fi on its fleet of more than 400 buses and on light rail cars in the coming months, the authority announced Monday. The signal will be strong enough to allow passengers to browse the internet and to check email.
“We’re excited to be able to make investments like this that improve our customer’s comfort and riding experience,” Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman said in a statement. “Free Wi-Fi will better connect passengers who are on-the-go and start to bring our system into the future.”
Buses equipped with Wi-Fi will be identified by a sticker near the front of each vehicle.
The network, titled “PAAC WIFI,” does not require a password for access. Users need to set their device to Wi-Fi enabled, and choose PAAC WIFI from the available networks.
The Wi-Fi installation was part of a $2.4 million investment to upgrade equipment used for tracking Port Authority vehicles. Earlier this year, 59 new buses equipped with USB ports for charging mobile devices were added to the fleet.
Port Authority is also expected to launch a mobile payment application next year to allow customers to pay for their fares with a smartphones.
