Our mobile internet has come a long, long way from back in the days of GPRS. Not only are they faster now, but reception and coverage has also improved leaps and bounds. Unfortunately sometimes there are some areas in which reception or speed might not be ideal, but if you’re the type that takes public transport, you’re in luck.
It has been announced by the Metropolitan Transportation Agency that starting this year, there are plans to roll out WiFi-equipped buses in Queens, New York. Unfortunately you can’t expect them in the next month or two as its rollout is only pegged for the second and third quarter of 2016, but when it does happen, public transport users can look forward to 70 buses from Queens to be equipped with WiFi.
To top things off, these buses will also come with USB ports to allow users to charge their phones while they are commuting, along with three LCD screens on each bus that will flash stop announcements, transfers, and other information that might be relevant to passengers. After its rollout in Queens, the MTA expects that this will eventually make its way to Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan, all of which will take place in the next 2 years.
As for existing buses, they will not be retired yet as there are plans to retrofit these vehicles with the same technology, and work on that is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.
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