San Diego MTS launches free Wi-Fi pilot program on 10 buses

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) launched a free Wi-Fi pilot program on 10 buses to test internet access for its transit riders.  

This pilot program is the first for San Diego MTS buses and, if successful, could be expanded to more buses and trolleys. 

“We live in a digital age where being able to access the internet is an important part of our day-to-day activities. Whether we are using the internet for work or school, having internet access is crucial to ensure a person’s success,” said Nathan Fletcher, San Diego MTS board chair, and chair, San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “This pilot program aims to help bridge the technology gap. If successful, we will be studying ways to expand it across the region.” 

The 10 buses will be deployed on routes throughout the San Diego MTS service territory. There are few different ways riders can find the Wi-Fi-enabled buses: 

• Find a bus with Wi-Fi in real-time on a dedicated bus finder map. 
• Go to the MTS website to see which routes will have Wi-Fi each day. 
• Look for dedicated signs near the boarding areas for riders to know they are boarding a Wi-Fi-enabled bus. 

Throughout the pilot program, staff will monitor and evaluate the Wi-Fi’s performance by gathering customer feedback. San Diego MTS is encouraging users to submit a survey to share their experience. Riders will be able to provide feedback on connectivity, internet speed and overall experience. 

To access the internet, riders will have to be on board one of the 10 buses equipped with Wi-Fi and enable Wi-Fi connection on their personal device. A San Diego MTS splash page will then pop-up, and they will need to accept terms and conditions in order to connect. Riders will be able to browse the internet, stream music, and/or video on any device for free.