PA: Xfinity WiFi from Comcast Expands to Additional SEPTA Stations

Free Xfinity WiFi service for SEPTA customers is being expanded to stations throughout the transit system, including those used by subway, bus and trolley riders, SEPTA and Comcast announced Oct. 29 

The initiative to make free WiFi available to more riders builds on a partnership between SEPTA and Comcast that began with the launch of Xfinity WiFi at Regional Rail stations, including Market East, Suburban, 30th Street, Temple University and University City.

Now, with Comcast’s help, SEPTA is one of the first transportation agencies in the nation to provide WiFi at its transit stations. This expansion initiative is launching today with free Xfinity WiFi access at the 69th Street Transportation Center, which thousands of SEPTA customers use each day to travel on the Market-Frankford Line and the Norristown High Speed Line, as well as buses and the Routes 101 and 102 Trolleys.

"This is another step in our ongoing effort to enhance the customer experience," said SEPTA General Manager Joseph M. Casey. "This partnership with Comcast gives our riders a high-quality amenity at no cost - to riders or SEPTA's bottom line."

Over the next two years, hot spots will be added at all stations on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, and at several additional locations on the Norristown High Speed Line. There will also be expansion to stations along Regional Rail, including the addition of Xfinity WiFi at Airport Line terminals.

“Consumers want to be able to connect to the Internet both inside and outside of the home and WiFi is part of our strategy to help them do that anywhere and at any time,” said Tom Nagel, senior vice president of Business development, Comcast Cable. “Comcast has partnered with SEPTA and we’re very pleased that Xfinity WiFi is the preferred WiFi provider of SEPTA stations.”

The Xfinity WiFi expansion announcement was accompanied by the launch of the official SEPTA App for iPhone, which offers users real-time travel updates and other related information. SEPTA’s in-house IT professionals developed the App for iPhone, and will continue working on improvements and enhancements for future versions.

The SEPTA App for iPhone is free, and is now available for download from Apple’s App Store. The Authority is also in the process of developing an official SEPTA App for Android smart-phone users. The launch of the official SEPTA App for Android is expected in the coming months.

The SEPTA App for iPhone brings many of the travel resources already available on SEPTA’s Website, www.septa.org, into one convenient mobile tool. This includes popular online features such as Next To Arrive, TrainView and TransitView. Schedules for all modes of travel are available with the App, as are latest travel updates and alerts are also available through the System Status feature, which provides the latest service information for all SEPTA trains, buses and trolleys. 

There is also a new travel tool available on the App – Find Nearest Location. This utilizes GPS to provide customers with the closest SEPTA services, such as stations and transit routes. A variety of other resources, such as fares, schedules and customer service contact information, are also available on the iPhone App.

To find the SEPTA App, iPhone users should search for the “official App from SEPTA” in the App Store, and look for the SEPTA logo. 

With the addition of new Xfinity WiFi hot spots throughout the transit system and the launch of the SEPTA iPhone App, riders have a growing number of options for accessing travel information – and all at no charge. For example, customers can now get online with Xfinity WiFi at SEPTA stations, and then use the official SEPTA App to map out a trip.

Access to the Xfinity WiFi network at SEPTA stations is available to customers by following a few simple steps. Using an iPhone or other mobile WiFi enabled device, select the “xfinitywifi” network and follow the prompts to begin the session. Those who are current Xfinity Internet customers can log in using their Comcast ID and password, and non-customers can also get online by clicking a separate link and following the instructions provided.