Free Wi-Fi on Metro's Rt. 71X Buses, Beginning March 20th
Pilot project on I-71 will offer free Wi-Fi en route; NO taxpayer money or bus fares used
CINCINNATI -- Think of it as Wi-Fi to go.
Metro will begin offering free wireless internet service on selected Metro buses as part of a three-month pilot program. The service is available to riders on the Rt. 71X Kings Island Express beginning Thursday, March 20th, 2008. The Rt. 71X Kings Island Express transports riders directly from the Kings Island park-and-ride into downtown and back.
“Long-distance commuters who work downtown are a good test market for this pilot project,” said Marilyn Shazor, Metro’s new CEO. “They have about 45 uninterrupted minutes from the Kings Island park & ride into downtown that can be turned into productive time on-line.”
What’s unique about this partnership is that the Wi-Fi equipment, installation and service fees are being paid by transit advertising brokered by Advertising Vehicles, Metro’s transit advertising contractor. Unlike other transit systems, Metro’s Wi-Fi equipment and service will NOT be paid by taxpayers or bus fares.
AT&T will purchase advertising on Metro buses. Metro will use the revenue from the advertising to pay the Wi-Fi service fees for 20 buses. The service was installed and is managed by Harborlink Network.
