FrontRunner riders will soon be able to enjoy a faster, more reliable Wi-Fi connection. UTA’s free Wi-Fi service is getting an upgrade, with new equipment expected to be installed on all FrontRunner trains by the end of the year.
The complimentary service will provide riders with an Internet connection that’s similar to what they experience in coffee shops or other public places, said UTA Manager of Technology Deployment Kyle Brimley. Riders will have a reliable way to access websites and check email, but streaming media or downloading large files may not be possible.
The new system will be tested on one train, starting in June. If testing is successful, it will be installed on all FrontRunner trains throughout late summer and fall, with every train receiving upgraded Wi-Fi equipment by December 2016.
FrontRunner’s existing Wi-Fi system was put in place in 2008 and expanded when FrontRunner extended service from Salt Lake City to Provo in 2012. The system became strained as personal technology devices like smart phones and tablets exploded in popularity and the number of riders trying to connect to the system grew from 800 per day in 2008 to more than 5,000 in 2013. The new Wi-Fi system will utilize off-the-shelf technology that can be upgraded and enhanced as usage grows and technology changes.
UTA currently offers Wi-Fi on FrontRunner and express buses. There are no plans to expand the Wi-Fi system to TRAX or local buses at this time.
