(The following story by Robin Washington appeared on the Boston Herald website on March 23.)
BOSTON — High-speed Internet access could jump from 1.5 megabits per second to 150 miles per hour if an Amtrak plan to wire its Acela Express and other trains out of South Station comes to fruition.
The rail ‘Net connection – currently being tested on a California route – could be a boon for passengers on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor, Amtrak spokesman Dan Stessel said, though no date has been set for it.
“It’s something we’re actively looking at,” he said. “We’re aware that the customer demand is there.”
That demand is so high that South Station travelers Megan Kennelly and Jennifer Scola booked their New York trip specifically to use the ‘Net after a travel agent erroneously told them the service was already on board.
“I thought they had it,” Kennelly said. “We usually fly but we took the train this time to get some work done.”
While wireless Internet users can already log-on while aboard, service can be spotty in remote areas – a problem also affecting hard-wire hookups for the planned plug-in service, Stessel said.
“It’s more complicated than cell phones. You certainly would not want it cutting in and out,” he said.
Amtrak, which will add an additional Sunday Acela run in May, recently wired the Route 128 and Providence stations with wireless Internet access.